It makes little sense, but the Green Bay Packers always seem to have holes in their defense.
Everywhere you look, the Packers' D is full of former first-rounders. At all three levels, the Packers have blue-chippers who have shown impact potential. Yet, for the second consecutive year, they've been exposed when they've run into good offenses.
In the Packers' 31-29 loss against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, it was the linebacking core that took the most heat. The Vikings shredded the Packers in the intermediate passing game, while quarterback Sam Darnold tied a career-high with four touchdowns.
At 2-2, the Packers have plenty of time to turn things around this year. But improving the linebacking core would be a good way to ensure the defense doesn't get exposed--either down the stretch or in the postseason.
One linebacker who looks to be available is Devin White, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl champion now with the Philadelphia Eagles. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report listed White as one of ten players on the trade deadline "big board" heading into Week 5.
"The Philadelphia Eagles signed linebacker Devin White to a one-year, $4 million contract this offseason, but they have yet to make him active for a game," Knox said.
"After sitting for the first month of his 2024 campaign, the 26-year-old may not be ready to jump right back into a starting role. That said, White is a former Pro Bowler (and a second-team All-Pro in 2020) with 75 starts, 23 sacks and six forced fumbles on his resume."
Three years ago, it would have been unthinkable that any team would think about trading White. He was an instrumental part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that shut down Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, then made a Pro Bowl campaign the next year, at age 23.
White has had a tough couple years, dealing with an ankle injury and finding himself benched by his two teams. He says he still sees good things from himself on tape, though, and has pledged not to complain about his situation moving forward.
If the Packers could rediscover some of the magic White had during his Tampa Bay years, acquiring him would be a huge steal. After all, how much can the Eagles ask for in exchange for a player who isn't getting snaps?
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