The Green Bay Packers have 11 draft picks heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Five of those 11 picks are in the first three rounds. That is plenty of firepower to add to the team as well as the potential to trade up in the first round if they choose to.
However, reports have started to circulate that the Packers could add yet another premium draft pick. This time it would come in the form of trading one of their star players.
Green Bay Packers Star Has Trade Reports Surfacing Just Days Before The 2024 NFL Draft
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report highlighted a few players who may be traded just after this years’ draft. Among them was Packers’ star DT Kenny Clark:
The Green Bay Packers have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, and they are just opening their playoff window. They are unlikely to trade away good, young players, but they could make some difficult financial decisions after the draft.
The Packers signed quarterback Jordan Love to a one-year extension last May, but he’s now heading into the final year of his contract. They also have a whopping 11 picks in the 2024 draft and can throw multiple darts at an expensive position if they choose to replace a veteran.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark is a player to keep an eye on. While Clark won’t turn 29 until October, he’s been with the Packers since 2016 and is entering the final year of his current contract. With defensive tackle deals skyrocketing—Derrick Brown just got a four-year, $96 million extension from the Carolina Panthers—a third contract for Clark could be mighty expensive.
The Packers might be able to find a trade partner for Clark if a team in need of defensive line help—like the Browns or Dallas Cowboys—misses out on that position in the draft. If Green Bay reloads enough along its defensive front, Clark could also become a cut candidate.
The Packers could save $17 million in 2024 cap space by releasing Clark with a post-June 1 designation.
Would The Packers Ever Trade Kenny Clark?
Clark has been a pillar of the Packers’ defense ever since he was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. However, he’s 28-years-old (will turn 29 during the 2024 season).
He’s currently under contract through the 2024 season and will certainly be looking for a new contract after (or during) this upcoming season. Will the Packers commit a multi year contract to someone who will spend the majority of that contract on the wrong side of 30?
Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones has proven that you can play at an extremely high level even at age 29. The Packers may want to keep Clark around for that kind of production, or move on and continue this unofficial youth movement.
2024 will be a huge year for Clark and the Packers.
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