The Green Bay Packers will have an abundance of high-end draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the first three rounds, the Packers will have five picks. There was one in the first round, two in the second, and two in the third. It is evident that they have the firepower to continue to develop through the draft and provide Jordan Love with the weapons he requires to succeed.
At the same time, the defense has a few vulnerabilities that could be filled through the draft. Coincidentally, one source claims that the Packers might acquire yet another first-round choice by trading away one of their experienced defensive players.
In the most recent report, the Green Bay Packers get another top draft pick by trading Preston Smith.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine speculated that the Packers may acquire a third-round pick for the 31-year-old pass rusher:
Za’Darius Smith was released by the Green Bay Packers two years ago. He was 29 years old and coming off a serious back ailment, so it made sense, but they had to sit back and watch him sign with the rival Vikings and put up a 10-sack season in 2022.
He’s now a member of one of the strongest defensive fronts in sport, with 3.5 sacks for the Browns this season.
The Packers effectively had to sit back and watch a solid player at a premium position walk away for nothing while still having some success.
They can avoid a repeat of that pattern by dealing Preston Smith this offseason. They would save $2.5 million against the cap, which might be used to locate another player at the position, but this is more about selling high on a 31-year-old who is still playing at a reasonable level.
Smith has had a very healthy career, but Father Time comes for everyone. Dealing him before the effects of age take effect could result in the return of a valuable draft pick.
Is It Time to Say Goodby to Preston Smith?
Smith will be 32 years old next season, and while he has been a valuable element of the Packers’ defense, it is evident that the Packers want to build for the future. The financial aspect is also critical. Although the Packers would only make $2.5 million in 2024, the savings would be significant: $17.5 million in 2025, $18.2 million in 2026, and $1.67 million in 2026 (a empty year). Preston will be 32 in 2025, the final year of his deal.
It would be a difficult decision, but it would be beneficial to the Packers in the long run. Such choices appear to be typical in Green Bay these days.
