With just over 24 hours to go before the start of the Green Bay Packers' season, excitement is reaching a fever pitch.
Franchise quarterback Jordan Love is locked and loaded. A defense flush with first-round talent is eager to reach its ceiling. And head coach Matt LaFleur is eager to prove he belongs in the discussion with the best ship captains in the game.
The Packers have a lot going for them, and they don't necessarily have obvious holes to fix before the 2024 trade deadline. But one addition might just put them over the top.
Green Bay's receiving core, though it has lots of depth, lacks a clear number-one option. Between Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Bo Melton, there are lots of things to like, but a lot of youth and question marks.
That could leave wide receiver open as an option to upgrade via trade. And based on recent reports, it sounds as though a former Pro Bowler could be available within the next few weeks.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that "several teams have tried" recently to trade for Denver Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton, a one-time Pro Bowler who has been overshadowed by bad quarterback play at times. He would be an ideal fit for this Packers team.
The 28-year-old Sutton put up 1,122 yards in 2019, his best year, and has failed to cross the 1,000 mark in the five years since, thanks to an injury and a lot of poor passers coming through Denver.
But Sutton is also coming off a 10-touchdown season in 2023, setting a new career high. He has had a target conversion rate under 60% in each of the last few seasons, a mark that could easily skyrocket if he had Love throwing to him in an offense surrounded by complimentary weapons.
Fowler did not specify whether the Packers were one of the teams who had already tried to trade for Sutton, but they would be wise to at least check in with Denver.
The wideout's extension is up after 2025 and if Denver gets off to a bad start this season, they could easily move him to a team like the Packers, who would likely make better use of his talents.
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