Packers Trade Idea Sends Underused Wideout To The NFC South
The Green Bay Packers remain the top dog in the NFC, and the only team to have suffered just one loss so far this season.
Given their success, which included a resounding win over former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, most would assume that they would automatically be in the market for an additional piece to give them even more ammunition to compete and succeed, a running back, corner or defensive tackle perhaps.
But in this trade pitch, the Packers actually move off one of their players at their deepest position, wide receiver, and send him to a fellow NFC team: Dontayvion Wicks to the Atlanta Falcons.
Packers Could Look To Move Off Third-Year Wideout
Many, many rumors have circled over the past few months that the Packers would relinquish their hold on one of their many wideouts, after the team drafted both Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This left them with seven very viable options at the position – and whilst noise had quietened down over the past few weeks, when the team was without Christian Watson and Jayden Reed due to injury, the close returns of both; Watson played in week 8, and Reed is expected back within the next month; could spell the end of Wicks’ time in Green Bay.
The bigger name that many have projected to see be moved is Romeo Doubs. Yet, in Watson and Reed’s absences, Doubs has stepped up in a big way, currently acting as the Packers’ second leading receiver with 350 yards, in the first seven games of the season.
There are still question marks over the extent to which the former Nevada product is in head coach, Matt LaFleur and general manager, Brian Gutekunst’s plans heading at the conclusion of his rookie contract in March 2026, but at this point in time, his participation is a critical factor in the offense’s success so far this year.
Dontayvion Wicks Has Not Been Used Much In 2025
The same, sadly, cannot be said for Wicks, who has been vastly under-utilized in 2025. The former fifth round pick saw a reasonably large share of the snaps in weeks 1-4, but that number has decreased substantially post the week-5 bye, falling to 34% and 27% in his last two games for the team before missing Sunday night’s game against the Steelers with injury.
And Wicks’ lack of snaps also show in his diminished production. He has just 20 receiving yards over the past two games, and just 13 receptions for 134 yards this entire season.
The Falcons, on the other hand, desperately need a second option for #1, Drake London. Kyle Pitts has started to step up to the mantle with 344 yards in 7 games, but beyond him and London, the next most prolific receiver (outside of running back, Bijan Robinson, who has 413 receiving yards), is Darnell Mooney with 158.
Wicks could immediately come in as a starter on that Falcons team and upgrade the broader receiving corps that certainly needs more depth added to it, especially if Atlanta are looking to make a push for the playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons receive: Dontayvion Wicks
Green Bay Packers receive: 2026 fifth round pick, 2027 seventh round pick.
How Will NY Giants Respond to Current Adversity and Other Week 9 Storylines
The disappointing 2025 season rolls on for the New York Giants, who, after being dealt yet another tough loss last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, look to get things right so that yet another season doesn’t fall through the cracks.
This week, they’ll host the 49ers, a team coming off a loss to Houston last week. In the previous five games, the 49ers have alternated between winning and losing, so if that pattern is to continue, this week should be a win.
The 49ers added some much-needed defensive line help in the form of Keion White, acquired in a trade with the Patriots. White should help Robert Saleh’s run defense, which has struggled of late.
That’s not necessarily good news for the Giants, who will enter this weekend’s game without Cam Skattebo and receiver Malik Nabers, the latter having finally had his ACL surgery one month after suffering a season-ending tear. The last thing the Giants need is to be made one-dimensional. Can they find it within themselves to ensure that doesn’t happen?
That’s just one of several storylines to follow this week. Here are some others.
Health Watch
The Giants were awarded defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse off waivers from Cleveland on Tuesday. This is significant because it could indicate the banged-up defensive secondary is still not ready to round back into shape.
For those keeping score at home, cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee) and safety Jevon Holland (knee) missed last week’s game. Adebo’s injury is thought to be a multi-week affair.
But now add in the fact that Cor’Dale Flott, the other starting cornerback, is in the concussion protocol and Art Green is dealing with a hamstring, and is it any wonder that the Giants prioritized adding defensive backfield help?
Receiver Coming?
The Giants are for a workout, among them receivers Diontae Johnson and Jaylen Johnson.
It’s pretty clear by now that they’re not looking to trade for a receiver, so could one of those two land on the roster to give rookie Jaxson Dart some more firepower, especially after having lost Malik Nabers and now running back Cam Skattebo?
Trade Deadline
There’s a week to go before the NFL trade deadline, and the Giants have some decisions to make. They’ve apparently already decided to hang onto outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux
But what about guys like offensive lineman Evan Neal and receiver Jalin Hyatt? It’s clear that neither is in this team’s long-term plans under this coaching staff, so if there’s no spot for them on game day to get a uniform, would the Giants see if perhaps they could move one of them for a draft asset?
Run Defense
The Giants' run defense was absolutely gouged by the Eagles last week, not just by Saquon Barkley but also by RB2 Tank Bigsby, who, like Barkley, topped the 100-yard rushing mark.
This week, the Giants face a 49ers rushing offense that ranks 30th overall (89.4) and 32nd per rushing attempt (3.4 yards/play).
Can the Giants' run defense get its act together, or will this be yet another get-right game for a struggling opponent’s run game?
Answering the Call
Retired legendary linebacker Carl Banks knows a thing or two about ball, so when he speaks, people take notice.
And to his credit, Banks doesn’t sugarcoat his opinions, such as when
Banks, for those who missed it, came right out with a message to Lawrence saying that opponents no longer respect the two-time Pro Bowler’s game.
Lawrence, for his part, is likely to politely acknowledge Banks’s criticisms and refrain from adding fuel to the fire if he's asked about it--and he will be.
But actions speak louder than words, and the true response by Lawrence to Banks's criticism will come on the field.
