This year, the draft is poised to look a little different for the Green Bay Packers and their fans. They are set to enter the first day on Thursday without a first-round pick for the first time since the 1986 NFL Draft. That year, they traded their pick to the San Diego Chargers for defensive back Mossy Cade. No disrespect to Mr. Cade, but I think the Packers used their first pick much more effectively when they traded it (and their 2027 1st) for edge defender and future Hall of Famer Micah Parsons.

There are a few scenarios, however, where it might make sense for the Packers to make a move, trade into the first round, and grab a player they really like. Reading the tea leaves in Brian Gutekunst’s press conferences, it sounds like he is not completely shutting the door on that possibility either. “What happens on Thursday will affect Friday and Saturday, so we’ll be in tune with it.” “It’ll probably be a little different, but I do think it’s important. We put a lot of work into these guys that you kind of look at this and go, OK, hey, how do we see this shaking out? What would we do here if it was us?” “We’re going to keep our ears open.” By no means is that a commitment to making a move, but it’s certainly not saying no either.

Gutekunst does have a history of being active in the first round. Of course, he traded up from pick 30 to 26 to select future franchise quarterback Jordan Love. That pick was met with a ton of criticism, but he stuck to his plan, and it’s the main reason the team is still in the position it is. He also traded down from #14 to #27 and then back up to #18 in the first round in his first draft back in 2018 to select cornerback Jaire Alexander, and up from #30 to #21 to select safety Darnell Savage. It’s important to note that selecting a player in the first round would give the team the 5th-year option to use—an ever-important leverage tool for a general manager.

Like most things in life, it’s all going to be about cost. We have to look at what it could potentially cost him to get into the bottom of the first, which is basically all that’s going to be possible without a first-round pick to dangle next year. Based on the Jimmy Johnson trade chart, the team would probably have to include their second-round pick (52), their third-round pick (84), and their fourth-round pick (120) to get back into the first round. Those picks all packaged together would put them into the late 20s or early 30s, based on which chart you use. Another option could be to keep the fourth-rounder (120) and package the 2nd and 3rd along with a player to get them into the very tail end of the 1st round. So which players might tickle his fancy this year and make him pull the trigger?

Scenario #1: San Diego State CB Chris Johnson – Packers trade #52, #84, #160 & TE Luke Musgrave to Miami for #30

The former Aztec cornerback Chris Johnson has shot up draft boards this season and is now projected to be picked anywhere from as high as the Dallas Cowboys at #20 to as low as the early second round. In recent mocks, I have seen him mostly projected to the Miami Dolphins at pick #30. Getting all the way up to #20 is likely too rich for this team, but if he is on the clock at #30, we could see Gutekunst call up his old friend and new Dolphins general manager, Jon Eric Sullivan.

What if the Packers packaged their 52nd, 84th, and 160th picks along with tight end Luke Musgrave to Miami for the 30th pick and selected Johnson? As mentioned, the 2nd- and 3rd-rounders alone would probably be enough to get right into the 30s. Adding the 160th pick in the 5th round and the 4th-year tight end might be enough to get it to 30. The Dolphins already have a 1st-round pick (#11) and are basically in a complete rebuild situation this offseason. The more picks this team can get, the better chance they have to find impact players to add to their roster.

The inclusion of Luke Musgrave might be interesting to some, but he is still a young player with tons of pass-catching talent. Adding Musgrave would give new starter Malik Willis a familiar face on offense to throw the ball to. Sullivan was in the Packers’ front office when the team drafted him in the second round just a few years ago. Musgrave has long been rumored as someone who could benefit from a change of scenery, and helping the Packers bring back a highly talented player at a position of need like Johnson would be a win-win for all involved.

Scenario #2: Kayden McDonald – Packers trade #52, #84, 2027 3rd & 5th to Cleveland for pick #24

This trade would ensure the Packers jump a pick ahead of the Chicago Bears for the run-stuffing, block-eating defensive tackle out of Ohio State. McDonald is one of the best defensive tackle prospects in the entire draft, and if there is one thing the Packers need to ensure they leave this draft with, it’s a defensive tackle. The Packers had all sorts of trouble stopping the run last year, and McDonald is the premier run stopper in this draft. He would be able to step in right away and, alongside free agent acquisition Javon Hargrave and Devonte Wyatt, bring this Packers defense to a different level.

It might seem a bit rich for them to trade four total picks, including two next year, to secure the services of McDonald, but it’s important to note they will have to jump several teams that would be interested in him. Both the Bears and Bills pick at #25 and #26 and need defensive line help. The Falcons don’t have a first-round pick and might be interested in moving up to acquire him as well and could be aggressive in their attempt to shore up their D-line. 

The Packers are going to have a ton of picks next year despite not having their first-rounder. They will likely be awarded four compensatory picks, as well as picking up the 6th-rounder in the Dontayvion Wicks trade last week. If the Packers wanted to keep their 4th this year then they would need to include their 3rd next year according to the draft value charts.Throwing in an extra 5th to top it off to be able to make a move like this would be well worth it, in my opinion.

Thursday will be interesting for all of Packers Nation. While I don’t think anyone wants Brian Gutekunst to do anything foolish and mortgage the future for one player at the back end of the first round, it would be a nice shot in the arm for a fan base that tends to think this team is content just competing every year instead of going for championships. Maybe a surprise trade into the first round for a blue-chip talent like Chris Johnson or Kayden McDonald will be just what they need.