The Green Bay Packers have experienced trade rumblings at cornerback over the last several weeks. What the team’s final decision is at the position and whether a trade is actually made could come to a head by the end of this week.
After the preseason opener, SI on Packers’ Bill Huber predicted Keisean Nixon could be the cornerback Green Bay trades. At the very least, on August 14, Huber projected Nixon to not be on Green Bay’s 53-man roster to open the regular season.
On Saturday, Huber experienced a change of heart. He projected Nixon to be on the team rather than Carrington Valentine.
Huber then predicted the Packers to trade Valentine.
“With 30 starts in three seasons, Valentine should be able to help a cornerback-needy team while giving the Packers an asset in return,” wrote Huber.
Valentine is entering his fourth NFL season in Green Bay. He will be an unrestricted free agent next March.
Last season, Valentine posted 31 combined tackles and four pass defenses in 17 regular season games.
Will Packers Trade Carrington Valentine Before Roster Cuts?
GettyGreen Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine is entering the final season of his rookie contract.
Green Bay has a bit of a roster crunch at cornerback. The team has four reliable veterans and two rookies, including second-rounder Brandon Cisse, at the position.
Huber projected five cornerbacks to make the Packers 53-man roster. In that scenario, one of the veterans will not make the cut.
Valentine is a versatile player, as he can both start and come off the bench. He also contributes on special teams. But if the Packers don’t see him as one of their better starting options, they could dangle him on the trade market.
As Huber explained, Valentine may fetch a decent trade return because of his versatility.
The Packers also don’t have a commitment to Valentine after this season. That makes him a logical trade chip too.
Valentine has started 30 games in his NFL career. He has registered 107 combined tackles, 18 pass defenses and two interceptions in 49 contests overall.
Packers Report’s Easton Butler reported on August 18 the team is already receiving trade inquires about Valentine’s availability.
Green Bay CB Depth Entering Final Week of Preseason
GettySI on Packers Bill Huber predicted Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers to trade cornerback Carrington Valentine before the NFL roster cuts.
With a week left in the preseason, the Packers have nine cornerbacks remaining on their roster — Valentine, Nixon, Cisse, Shemar Bartholomew, MJ Devonshire Jr., Kamal Hadden, Domani Jackson, Jaylin Simpson and Benjamin St-Juste.
Huber projected Nixon, Cisse, Hadden, Jackson and St-Juste to be on the team.
In previous predictions, the Packers insider also had Simpson on the roster. But in his latest round of roster projections, Simpson missed the cut.
With those five cornerbacks, Nixon and St-Juste would likely start with Cisse in support, perhaps becoming a starter by the end of the season.
On the team’s unofficial depth chart Monday, the Packers have Nixon and Valentine listed as their starting cornerbacks.
The Packers will host the Arizona Cardinals on Friday, August 28 during Week 3 of the preseason. That will conclude the exhibition campaign for the club.
Green Bay will then have to cut its roster to 53 players by 6 pm ET on Sunday, August 30.
Packers Insider Makes Sudden Change With CB Trade Prediction