With the Green Bay Packers having Super Bowl aspirations this season, there could be some activity ahead of this year’s NFL Trade Deadline.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall is one name recently linked to the Packers, and several Green Bay wide receivers have reportedly garnered interest this year on the trade block.
With the trade deadline coming closer, rumors should start to pick up steam in the coming weeks. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen named the Packers as a trade fit for Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary.
Here’s what Fowler wrote about McCreary’s trade buzz as of late:
“Similar to Key, McCreary is a defensive starter who doesn’t fit the long-term plans of a team in transition. His name circulated in trade buzz at roster cutdowns too. He’s a reliable corner who can play inside or outside — traits that typically elicit some type of trade interest, even if just for Day 3 pick swaps.”
The Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons were also named as trade fits for McCreary.
McCreary Could Be a Big Boost To The Packers Defense
Nate Hobbs, who came in this offseason after Jaire Alexander’s departure, has not played up to his four-year, $48 million contract so far.
As such, fans questioned his play recently, and that’s just one reason why adding McCreary could make sense for Green Bay.
McCreary was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and his tape is fun to watch, as Bowen writes.
“More of a ball disrupter than a playmaker (three career interceptions), McCreary is a physical cover corner with the ability to match in the slot and tackle in space. While McCreary lacks the impact plays on his résumé, his game meshes with any defense in search of an inside/outside corner who plays with an aggressive demeanor.”
A change of scenery could be beneficial for McCreary, and with the Titans firing head coach Brian Callahan, moving pieces for assets at the deadline could be a smart thing to do.
The Titans CB Has Experience But Also Has Flaws
The former Auburn Tiger has started 37 games over his first four seasons in Tenneessee.
With the Titans at 1-6, they could add a Day 3 pick, and the Packers can definitely afford to take a low-risk gamble on the young cornerback.
However, there are some concerns about McCreary if he does play the slot in Green Bay, as Zach Kruse of Packers Wire pointed out.
“This season, McCreary has allowed 23 catches on 27 targets into his coverage, and only three players have allowed more receiving yards when covering the slot — so this isn’t a veteran playing at a high level to start a contract year.”
McCreary has three interceptions in his career and he has played in all seven games this season, although he has just two starts. With him being in a contrct year, the Titans moving in the wong direction, and the Packers trending up, this could be an obvious trade fit for both sides ahead of the November 4 deadline.
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