Seven Former Draft Prospects Who Should Interest Packers Before the Trade Deadline

Deadline decisions in Green Bay

Gutekunst may be weighing the game against the Patriots and possible roster moves as the Tuesday deadline approaches. The Packers’ pre-draft scouting reports could help guide decisions on veteran additions, a practice Gutekunst has discussed over the years.

The seven players considered were all selected in the top 50. Their possible roles range from immediate depth to longer-term investment, and the article does not suggest that any trade is certain.

Options along the line

Jackson Powers-Johnson, the 44th pick in 2024, started 14 games as a rookie but has been in the starting lineup for four of seven appearances this season. His 1,566 career snaps are divided fairly evenly across the three interior line positions; he also has 14 career penalties. The case for him is partly about the future, with his contract running through 2027.

Cesar Ruiz, selected 24th in 2020, has mostly played right guard and also has experience at center. He has not given up a sack this season and is described as a solid, though not exceptional, run blocker. Green Bay recently started Laken Tomlinson at right guard, a position he had not played in a decade.

Ruiz’s extension has one season remaining after this one. His current-season cap hit is negligible, and his 2027 base salary is $9.5 million, with no guaranteed money.

Pass rush and receiving help

Christian Barmore, the 38th pick in 2021, had 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for losses in his third season, then missed most of 2024 because of blood clots. He recorded two sacks and four tackles for losses in 2025, followed by 3.5 sacks and three tackles for losses in seven games this year.

Packers assistant DeMarcus Covington coached Barmore in New England. Barmore’s extension runs through 2028, with cap hits of about $6 million for the rest of this season, $20 million in 2027 and $21 million in 2028; the deal has no guaranteed money.

Rashod Bateman, the 27th pick in 2021, has 20 catches in nine games this season after catching 19 passes in 13 games in 2025. His 4.39-second 40-yard speed could suit Green Bay’s vertical passing game. Brian Thomas, the 23rd pick in 2024, had 87 catches, 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, but his production has fallen since.

Depth and contract considerations

Thomas has 10 catches in eight games this season. At 6-foot-3 with 4.33 speed in the 40, he could add receiver depth alongside Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. His rookie contract ends after next season, when his cap charge is $2.79 million.

Bateman is under contract through 2029, with no guaranteed money. The listed cap charges are $8.25 million in 2027, $10.25 million in 2027 and $12.25 million in 2029; the two figures for 2027 are inconsistent in the article.

Zaven Collins, the 16th pick in 2021, has contributed at linebacker and on the edge. The article says Green Bay’s depth at linebacker should improve when Zaire Franklin returns, while Micah Parsons’ return would restore the team’s strength on the edge. The available report ends during Collins’ statistics, so no further production details are provided.