Once the 2020 NFL season concluded, there were rumblings of Aaron Rodgers potentially asking for a trade from the Green Bay Packers. Throughout the offseason, the saga between Rodgers and the Packers lingered, with some people expecting him to be dealt to a new team.
Following a drawn-out standoff, Rodgers has reworked his contract, making him a free agent at the end of the 2022 season. While Rodgers could potentially be traded as soon as next year, one of his requests upon returning to the team was for Green Bay to reacquire Randall Cobb from the Houston Texans.
Cobb was one of Rodgers’ favorite targets in years past, so the veteran signal-caller wanted to play with him again in what could be his final year with the Packers. Even with Cobb rejoining the franchise, Green Bay could still use some firepower at the wide receiver position.
Despite a massive trade being improbable at this point, here are three trade targets that the Packers should consider pursuing before the start of the regular season.
Brandin Cooks
The Packers have already done business with the Texans when they were able to work out a trade for Cobb. Maybe Green Bay can reopen talks with Houston to acquire one of their other remaining wideouts? With Deshaun Watson not expected to take another snap with the Texans, Brandin Cooks could request a trade before the season or during the season. Just last season, Cooks hauled in 81 receptions for 1,150 yards and six touchdowns, making Houston the fourth team he’s recorded 1,000+ receiving yards with.
It’s no secret that the Packers could use some aid at the wide receiver position outside of Davante Adams. Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have yet to display consistency out wide in recent years. Seeing that this may be the final year of Rodgers putting on a uniform for the Packers, Green Bay could go all out and try to form a wide receiver trio of Adams, Cooks, and Cobb.
Tim Patrick
It’s highly unlikely that the Packers are going to make a move for Cooks, especially due to his contract. But if Green Bay is searching for a wideout that isn’t going to cost much and can likely be had for cheap, Tim Patrick of the Denver Broncos is definitely a viable option. Upon the return of Courtland Sutton this season, Denver is crowded at wide receiver with Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler, rookie Seth Williams, and Patrick.
Patrick was a bright spot for the Broncos in 2020 as he saw more playing time amid the season-ending injury to Sutton. In 15 starts for Denver last season, Patrick corraled 51 passes for 742 yards and six touchdowns, notching a career-best 14.5 yards per reception. What makes Patrick a fit for the Packers is the fact he excels on the outside, which allows Adams and Cobb to be moved around in the offense.
N’Keal Harry
Two years ago, the New England Patriots made N’Keal Harry the last pick of the first round in the 2019 NFL Draft. While injuries have played a part in his woes in the NFL thus far, Harry has shown a lack of an ability to create separation. Not being able to separate from defenders can be detrimental in the league as not many wideouts make a living off only making contested catches. The ones that do usually don’t last in the NFL long.
Given the signings of Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne this offseason, Harry has requested a trade from the Patriots. Up to this point, no one has made a push to acquire him, but he isn’t going to cost much. Maybe a late-round pick can send Harry to the Packers in what could be a low-risk, high-reward move. Even though relying on contested catches can be dangerous in the NFL, Harry did catch 71.4% of his contested targets in 2020, which was the seventh-best mark in the league. Harry could also play on the outside, giving Rodgers a prime red-zone target.
