Packers Trade Pitch Secures Them Starting AFC West Cornerback

The Green Bay Packers‘ fairly complete roster still has some question marks at cornerback, ever since the team released long-time CB1, Jaire Alexander back in early June.

Offseason free agent addition, Nate Hobbs, has taken over Alexander’s vacated role on the perimeter, leaving 2024 second round pick, Javon Bullard to man the slot – as he did for much of last season.

In this trade proposal, however, Green Bay decide to make a trade for one of the more underrated starting corners in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Jaylen Watson, shifting Hobbs to the inside and Bullard to safety (or as a backup at both spots) – his original drafted position.

The Packers May Need Support At Outside Cornerback

Hobbs’ record as a boundary cornerback is certainly not as pristine as his well-documented prowess in the slot. Hobbs’ sole season playing the majority of his defensive snaps on the exterior yield mixed results at best, and as such he was promptly moved back inside for the subsequent two seasons.

Head coach, Matt LaFleur, considered him a possibility to play inside or outside all the way back at the NFL Annual Meeting this past spring, and did not seem fazed by his struggles on the outside in the past with the Raiders.

But, there is still a distinct possibility that Hobbs does not manage to adjust to the specificities of the CB2 role, and could need to be moved back inside.

At that point, the only viable options would be former seventh round pick, Carrington Valentine, who has performed competently over the past two seasons when called upon, and new converted cornerback from receiver, Bo Melton.

Admittedly, Melton has done “remarkably” well in transitioning from one side of the ball to other other, but for a team like the Packers who are actively challenging for a Super Bowl, they may well not want to risk having a gaping hole in their secondary, and bite the bullet on potentially expensive, but certainly reliable acquisition.

The Chiefs Could Be Willing To Part With Watson For The Right Price

Generally, good-quality cornerbacks are not moved by their parent teams. They are substantially harder to come across than wide receivers, and have a reasonably long career expiry date, injuries and wear & tear notwithstanding.

But the Chiefs operate a little differently to the rest of the league in this regard. Andy Reid and general manager, Brett Veach’s philosophy very much has them going front to back, prioritizing the trenches above all else, with the skill positions a distinct afterthought.

The team traded away L’Jarius Sneed for a third round pick just over a year ago – and Sneed was considered by many to be a borderline top-10 player at his position when he was moved back in March 2024. Kansas City is already struggling with their projected cap space for the next few years, with Spotrac having them predicted to be over $50 million above the cap in 2026 – third lowest in the league.

The Chiefs also have numerous good options to replace Watson on the outside for this upcoming season in Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson and third round rookie, Nohl Williams.

Watson is out of contract next offseason, and the Packers could afford to extend him were they to make a play for him- especially as it looks like both wideouts, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, could be on their way out at the end of the year.

Green Bay Packers receive: Jaylen Watson, 2027 sixth round pick

Kansas City Chiefs receive: 2026 third round pick, 2027 seventh round pick.