3 trade deadline targets for the Green Bay Packers

Tap, tap, tap.

The NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline is quickly approaching.

Many teams in the league, such as Kansas City (DeAndre Hopkins and Josh Uche), Minnesota (Cam Robinson), the New York Jets (Davante Adams), Buffalo (Amari Cooper) and Baltimore (Diontae Johnson) have already been active.

The Green Bay Packers could use a boost on the defensive line and in the secondary, and they remain the betting favorites to land Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett. If the Browns choose to hold on to their best player – and the Packers can’t get their white whale – here are a few players that might make sense.

Trey Hendrickson, DE, Cincinnati

The 29-year-old Hendrickson has gone to three consecutive Pro Bowls and has 66.5 sacks in his first 7 ½ years in the league. Hendrickson – affectionately known as “Big Play Trey” in Cincinnati – already has 7.0 sacks and 36 pressures this season.

Hendrickson could give a team like the Packers – whose pass rush needs a lift – a huge lift.

So why would it become available?

First, Hendrickson requested a trade this offseason. Second, the Bengals (3-5) were one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams in 2024.

Cincinnati must decide next week whether to rebuild or not. If so, Hendrickson – who will become a free agent after the 2025 season – may not be in their future plans.

Greg Newsome, C.B., Cleveland

Newsome is the son of former Packers cornerback Craig Newsome.

He was Cleveland’s first-round draft pick in 2021 (No. 26 overall) and was named to the Professional Football Writers Association All-Rookie team in 2021 when he finished second on the team with nine passes defended.

Newsome started 15 games in 2022, collecting 42 tackles, half a sack and six passes defensed. He then had his best season in 2023, when he tied for the team lead with a career-high 14 passes defensed. Newsome also recorded his first career interception and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown in Baltimore on November 12, 2023, while adding half a sack.

Newsome has struggled this season, but is only 24 and has tremendous versatility. He has played both the boundary corner and the slot, and at 6-foot-4 and 192 pounds, has the size Green Bay traditionally covets.

The Browns (2-6) could be on the road to a rebuild, which means a player like Newsome could become available.

Chase Young, DE, New Orleans

The 25-year-old Young was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft. However, he is already on his third team.

Young has rare talent, posting 16.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in his first 4 ½ seasons. However, he had little impact during his first year in New Orleans, with 2.0 sacks and 11 tackles.

Young is currently on a one-year “prove-it” contract, meaning the Packers could cut ties after this season if they choose to go that route.

Young likely wouldn’t be Green Bay’s first choice to help rebuild the pass rush. On the other hand, buyers with a trade deadline won’t always find a Porsche Singer DLS on the lot.