Preston Smith Could Get Deal, Former First Round Pick To Join Linebacker

Packers fans are understandably focused on their team’s Week 9 matchup against the Lions at Lambeau Field this Sunday. The team’s front office doesn’t have that luxury. They need to focus on this weekend’s game, but just as much attention needs to be paid to potential roster changes that could be made before the NFL trade deadline.

It’s important to remember that CEO Brian Gutekunst and his team have already made some acquisitions. The franchise’s decision to trade a seventh-round draft pick to the Titans to acquire quarterback Malik Willis already looks like a masterstroke. Bringing in Brandon McManus to replace rookie Braden Narveson at quarterback allowed Green Bay to win two straight games on last-second shots.

The Packers weren’t forced to spend significant draft capital to make any of their season moves. That leaves the door open for Green Bay to make a big splash if they see the opportunity. The chances are high that such a massive trade won’t happen, but fans should keep their eyes peeled for the following rumors.

The Packers are well aware that edge rusher Preston Smith is on the wrong side of the ball at 30. His play on the field is declining, as evidenced by his 59.9 PFF grade average for the season. He has three sacks, but that doesn’t make up for much of the pressure he’s put on in eight games.

Some teams may be hesitant to select a big-name starter, but Gutekunst and his staff have already prepared for Smith’s potential departure by selecting Lucas Van Ness in the first round of the 2023 draft. He hasn’t had the success Green Bay might have hoped for, but it’s time for the team to find out what he can do under a full workload.

None of this means the Packers will give Smith away for free. They understand that he is still a decent rotation option and his performance could improve if he can get some rest down the stretch. The only way he can be moved is if another team is willing to overpay to acquire him. The Packers might be willing to take a small step back this year by getting rid of Smith, but only if they get a high enough draft pick to replace him in next year’s draft.

Jamin Davis entered the NFL with high expectations for Kentucky. The athletic linebacker never established himself as a quality starter despite being a first-round pick for Washington. The Packers are giving him a chance to rejuvenate his career by signing him to their practice squad.

It’s a classic low-risk, potentially high-reward move for a team that knows it needs to improve its athleticism on defense. In particular, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley needs more potential speed rushers. This is the role Davis was expected to play when he came into the league.

The odds of Davis making the active roster anytime soon are high, but he has a potential path to get there. Trading Smith is one way he could have a chance to become a situational pass rusher. The more obvious route for Davis to make the game-day roster would be for outside linebacker to fall due to injury.

Davis is an elite athlete that smart teams hide on their practice squads. He may never be a useful player for the Packers, but he has the potential to develop into a productive starter if he can turn his potential into productivity.

Some Packers fans would like to see a big-time wide receiver to help bring Jordan Love into the team’s locker room before the trade deadline. The biggest opportunity for improvement in Green Bay comes on defense.

Browns quarterback Greg Newsome has been linked to the team for several weeks. Jaire Alexander’s recent injury has only increased the hype surrounding a potential trade between Cleveland and Green Bay. Newsome is better suited to play the nickel position, but he can match up with several types of opposing wide receivers to great effect.

The real question is how much money the Browns could ask the Packers to give up on acquiring Newsome. He’s simply a young, quality starter that Cleveland should build its future around. He may become too expensive for the Browns when his rookie contract ends, but that’s the only reason they should even consider moving him before the trade deadline.

The best the Packers can hope for is to offer a conditional mid-round draft pick to land a new starter at cornerback. That shouldn’t be enough for the Browns, but it’s an offer Gutekunst and his front office team should make. Adding a pass-impact quarterback like Newsome could be the difference between an early playoff exit and an incredible Super Bowl chance for Green Bay. Adding Newsome is the best realistic deal the Packers can make in the next few days.