The Green Bay Packers’ 2024 season took on an all-too familiar story arc, comfortably making the playoffs before crashing out to one of the NFC’s top teams. That has been the case in five of the last six seasons for the Packers, with four of those five playoff losses coming against the NFC’s eventual Super Bowl representative.
Fans have been crying out for the team to address certain positions, with varying levels of talent being brought in via free agency and the NFL Draft. The team’s offseason movement has still left some glaring holes on the team’s roster, though, so here are five players that Green Bay could look to trade for before September.
Five Potential Post-Draft Trade Targets For the Green Bay Packers in 2025
Jalen Ramsey
Jalen Ramsey might be the most obvious name on this list. The Miami Dolphins are known to want to trade their star cornerback, but the player’s eye-popping salary could put teams off. The Packers are potentially looking to offload their own star corner, Jaire Alexander, and could be interested in the seven-time Pro Bowler.
Any move, to the Packers or otherwise, would likely include a contract restructure, with Ramsey’s current deal stretching his cap hit to the fullest extent. Nevertheless, Ramsey is an elite playmaker with a big-game mentality. If they could make it work, financially, the Packers could do a lot worse than adding the imposing perimeter defender.
Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson, like Ramsey, would represent a change of pace from Green Bay’s typically cautious approach to player acquisition. But given the team’s recent struggles against the NFC’s powerhouse teams, a change of pace may be just what it needs.
Hendrickson is known to be unhappy with the Cincinnati Bengals’ front office after repeatedly being made to wait for a new deal. The 2024 NFL sack leader would inject some elite talent into an already-competent Packers defense. First-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley worked wonders with Green Bay’s defensive unit in 2024; with Hendrickson generating more pressure on the edge, Hafley could get more creative elsewhere.
George Pickens
Trading for George Pickens would be in keeping with that change-of-pace mindset. The Packers drafted Matthew Golden in the first round of their recent hometown draft, before adding Savion Williams in the third. Again, though, compared to the top teams in the conference, the Packers are short of top talent at the position.
Christian Watson is set to miss yet more significant time in 2025, but Romeo Doubs is also a health concern, having suffered two separate concussions in 2024. Golden has far more to offer than simply stretching the field on the perimeter, and adding Pickens would allow the team to use him in more ways.
Pickens has one year remaining on his rookie deal in Pittsburgh, giving the Steelers a decision to make on the receiver, having just signed DK Metcalf.
Emmanuel Forbes
If the Packers are not interested in bringing in an expensive star to improve their roster, Emmanuel Forbes could be of interest. Whether it’s a starter or a depth piece, the Packers need to add talent to their cornerback room. Free agency signing Nate Hobbs is likely to play in the slot in 2025, leaving Keisean Nixon and the injury-prone Alexander to man the outside.
Carrington Valentine saw a lot of action in 2024, with Alexander sidelined, but Green Bay fans would ideally like to see more competition in that area. Despite Forbes’ struggles with the Washington Commanders, he was a first-round draft pick just two years ago. The Los Angeles Rams are the favorites to sign Ramsey, so they would likely be open to trading a player they claimed off waivers back in December.
Jamel Dean
If the Packers would prefer less of a wild card than Forbes, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean could be a solid option. The Buccaneers added cornerbacks with both of their Day 2 picks in the 2025 draft, opening the door for a departure. Dean has two years remaining on his current contract, with no guaranteed salary in either remaining year, making him an attractive trade target if available.
At worst, Dean would compete with Valentine for a role behind Nixon and Alexander, but he could easily become a starting cornerback on the outside in Green Bay.