Green Bay Packers: 5 Trade targets at the 2020 NFL trade deadline
By Joe Kipp
5. Steve McLendon, DL, New York Jets
As stated earlier, the New York Jets could be the perfect trade suitor for the Packers. They’re currently win-less (0-5) and in the AFC, so trading someone to Green Bay wouldn’t matter too much. It’s also likely the Jets could fire head coach Adam Gase in the immediate future, so a fire sale of players could follow.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Defensive lineman Steve McLendon would be an excellent low-risk player for the Packers to target. Currently serving out a one-year contract at 34 years old, it likely wouldn’t take more than a seventh-round pick to acquire McLendon. He’d step in as a rotational run defender for the Packers right away without having to be a huge impact player.
McLendon has been solid if not spectacular his entire career. He spent six years with the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2009. McLendon has been with the Jets the past five years, serving as the team’s starting nose tackle. He had one of his best seasons in 2019 when he finished with 10 tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks.
McLendon would serve as a rotational player behind nose tackle Kenny Clark. Both he and Clark excel at stopping the run, but giving more snaps to McLendon on early downs would give Clark more opportunities to rush the passer on third downs.