Green Bay Packers: 5 Trade targets at the 2020 NFL trade deadline
By Joe Kipp
3. John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
The Packers need speed at the receiver position, and John Ross could be the right prescription for Green Bay’s ailment. Everyone knows Ross is fast. He holds the record for running the fastest 40-yard dash (4.22 seconds) in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine. The Cincinnati Bengals made him the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft, but he hasn’t met expectations in the NFL.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the only receiver on the Packers roster who provides the ability to stretch the field. Adding Ross would give the Packers ample depth at an area of need. He’d be the perfect low-risk, high-reward player to add to Green Bay’s offense.
Since entering the league, Ross has just 51 catches for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns. He failed to catch a pass as a rookie. His best season came in 2019 when he topped the 500-yard mark. This season, Ross has only been active for two of Cincinnati’s five games. It could be time for a fresh start for both sides.
The Bengals took receiver Tee Higgins with the 33rd overall pick this past April, signaling they likely don’t see a future with Ross. Because he’s been a huge disappointment thus far in his career, it likely wouldn’t take much to trade for him. A fifth-round pick would likely be enough to acquire Ross.