April 28th, 2022 at 4:14pm CST by Sam Robinson
The Packers‘ streak of not drafting a wide receiver in Round 1 has hit 20 years, but they may be prepared to snap it in a few hours. After trading Davante Adams and letting Marquez Valdes-Scantling walk in free agency, Green Bay enters the draft with a glaring need at this position. The team is exploring trade-up scenarios ahead of Round 1, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Holding the Nos. 22 and 28 picks, the Packers standing pat runs the risk of seeing the top receivers being taken ahead of them. Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams could all go off the board in the first half of Round 1. Other receivers are firmly on the first-round radar as well. The Packers have traded up in the first round under GM Brian Gutekunst, doing so for Jordan Love two years ago. That scrutinized pick prevented the Pack from landing a first-round receiver to pair with Adams, and the team’s efforts to trade up in the 2020 second round failed. Can Gutekunst and Co. pull off a deal tonight?
Hours away from the first round, here is the latest draft buzz:
- Even though the Giants are looking less likely to complete an early separation from Kadarius Toney, they are shopping Darius Slayton. The new Big Blue regime may be open to a splashy receiver addition tonight. A Giants-Williams connection has surfaced ahead of Round 1, Breer adds. Williams would seemingly be in play with the Giants’ No. 7 pick, with the team being closely tied to a tackle at No. 5. The Giants are also open to trading out of the 7 slot, with ESPN’s Dianna Russini confirming that remains the case (Twitter link). A move down could keep them in play for Williams, whose ACL tear (and expected PUP-list stay) may not dissuade a rebuilding team like the Giants from pulling the trigger.
- Add the Cowboys to the list of teams trying to move up, via Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter). Jerry Jones said recently he would OK a trade-up maneuver, and a Wednesday-night report indicated Dallas is interested in tackles Charles Cross and Trevor Penning, along with London. A trade for Cross or London might be unrealistic, unless the Cowboys are prepared to trade into the top 10. The Giants have been closely connected to Cross at No. 5. Penning could still be on the board by the middle of the first round, however.
- Although the Eagles‘ trade-up effort may well be for Kayvon Thibodeaux, depending on how far the defensive end falls, other teams are expecting a potential Philly move to address a different defensive spot. Rivals believe an Eagles move into the top 10 would be for a cornerback, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. The Eagles hosted Ahmad Gardner on a “30” visit and made a play for Stephon Gilmore in free agency. Rostering Darius Slay as their top corner, the Eagles should be expected to make a notable addition at the position. A vault from No. 15 into the top 10 would almost certainly be necessary to land Gardner or Stingley, both of whom having been consistently connected to top-10 landing spots.
- Rumored to be readying a trade-up, the Chiefs do not look likely to climb into the top half of the first round. They have told teams in the top 15 such a move would be too steep, Breer adds. The Chiefs have the Nos. 29 and 30 picks in the first round. Receiver is expected to be in play for the perennial AFC West champs, who have also been connected to pass-rushing help.
