Green Bay Packers should be buyers at the NFL trade deadline

The Green Bay Packers should be calling around as the 2020 NFL trade deadline approaches.

The 2020 NFL trade deadline is fast approaching, as teams have until Nov. 3 to make any final decisions. Because the Green Bay Packers appear to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders this season, they should be doing everything possible to acquire a difference-maker at the deadline.

Standing at 4-1 after five games, the Packers have shown to be potent offensively, save for the final three quarters this past Sunday against the Buccaneers. On defense, Green Bay has struggled in nearly every area, particularly when it comes to stopping the run.

The Packers currently rank third in points per game (32.8) and seventh in yards per game (396.6). Even with no Davante Adams for two games, Green Bay’s offense was productive. He returned against the Buccaneers but failed to have a major impact. Sunday’s game showed what could happen if Adams is erased as an option. Additionally, with no Tyler Ervin as the motion man, the running game sputtered.

To add fuel to the fire, Green Bay is likely to be without receiver Allen Lazard for at least two more weeks at minimum, if not much longer. Lazard was in the midst of a breakout campaign before undergoing surgery on a core muscle at the end of September.

The Packers would be wise to at least call around the league and inquire about possible options at the receiver position. A speedy receiver like John Ross of the Bengals or the Texans’ Kenny Stills are both intriguing possibilities. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the Packers only player who provides the ability to stretch the field.

Defensively, the Packers may want to consider trading for an interior defensive lineman. Green Bay is allowing 4.7 yards per carry (23rd) this season. Stopping the run has been a persistent issue for the defense dating back to last season.

A trade for an interior defender such as the Broncos’ Shelby Harris makes a ton of sense. Harris would add ample depth behind nose tackle Kenny Clark, especially with Tyler Lancaster’s availability in question moving forward.

In all likelihood, the Packers won’t make any trade deals before Nov. 3. The team has a strong history of sticking with in-house personnel, especially during former general manager Ted Thompson’s time with the team.

But this isn’t the same Packers team. Green Bay has a roster capable of making a deep run this season. With Aaron Rodgers entering the final stages of his career, it’d be wise to push the chips to the middle of the table and acquire the necessary ancillary pieces that would help contribute to a Super Bowl. Even the smallest acquisition could make the biggest difference.