The Green Bay Packers come into Thursday armed with much better draft capital than they had to start the week. The Packers’ trade with the New York Jets for Aaron Rodgers gave the Packers the 13th, 42nd, and 207th overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They have a bunch of options to spend those quality picks on much-needed cornerstone pieces for the new team general manager Brian Gutekunst is putting together in the Jordan Love era. One of those pieces could be a Pro Bowl pass rusher.
The Green Bay Packers need help with pass rushers
The Packers have lost a couple of members of the defensive line to free agency this offseason. The Packers have had serious issues with pass rushers under Gutekunst leadership. Last season, depth was an issue, as the injury to Rashan Gary made Preston Smith the only viable option for getting a consistent pass rush on opposing quarterbacks. The Packers could make a bold move to take a sure lock at defensive end by trading for a player that should be on the market Thursday night.
The Washington Commanders have decided not to pick up the fifth-year option for defensive end Chase Young. Young, a former second-overall pick in the 2020 draft, was an absolute beast in his rookie season. Young earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors and made it to the Pro Bowl after registering 7.5 sacks for the Commanders.
Young struggled to return from an ACL injury he suffered in the 2021 season. But when healthy, he is a force to contend with. They will need players like Young to make the secondary more efficient this season.
The Washington Commanders could be a trade partner
Brad Spielberger with Pro Football Focus recently wrote on five defenders who could be traded during the draft. Spielberger thinks Young would be the best option to be traded or eventually released from the Commanders’ stacked defensive line:
“Chase Young arguably has a higher ceiling than [Montez] Sweat once healthy, but is Washington comfortable with Sweat’s high floor and willing to be proactive in getting out ahead of potentially paying all four players?
If other teams are comfortable with Young’s medical situation after he missed considerable time with a knee injury, would they bring him aboard during the draft, exercise his fifth-year option and see what he offers in 2023 before entertaining an extension?”
Young would dramatically help the Green Bay Packers’ defense
Photo courtesy of John Jones/Icon Sportswire
Young would be a home run hit when healthy for the Green Bay Packers. The Packers could keep him on a rookie contract during their tight cap season in 2023 and re-sign him when they have more money after sobering from the bloated Rodgers contract. The Packers could find more defensive line help in this draft. But whoever they take won’t be as sure of a hit as the former Pro Bowl defensive end when he’s back in top form.
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