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Five receivers Green Bay Packers should target before the trade deadline

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Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers seem to be clicking into gear, as illustrated by the spectacular performance of the QB in their demolition of the Raiders this past Sunday.

But, in the absence of star wideout Davante Adams, there are a number of options potentially available to the Packers to bolster their offence and consolidate themselves as contenders moving towards the playoffs. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has played well, but is still raw. Geronimo Allison is talented but injury prone, Jimmy Graham has been a disappointment and Allen Lazard, Darrius Shepherd and Jake Kumerow were all undrafted – with the greatest respect – for a reason. Here are some of the options available to Brian Gutekunst.

A.J Green

This would be the most mouth-watering option for most Packers fans, assuming Green is healthy.

The Bengals say that they will not be dealing Green, but it is hard to see that genuinely being the case as Green is in a contract year and the 0-7 Bengals are in full-rebuild mode. If Green can come back at full health he could take this Packers offence to a new level, having racked up 602 receptions, 63 TDs and nearly 9,000 yards catching passes almost exclusively from Andy Dalton.

Pair him with Aaron Rodgers and let your imagination run wild.

       

O.J Howard

It seems far-fetched that the Buccaneers would trade away a first round talent in Howard, but that didn’t stop them releasing Gerald McCoy and now have to watch him shine in an impressive Panthers unit.

Howard has also barely been used by Bruce Arians, amassing a measly 13 catches in the 6 games he’s played this year. At 6″6, 250lbs and the ability to run a 4.51 40, Howard has tremendous upside and could be the exact sort of big tight end the Packers have wanted for years.

Golden Tate

Tate is a savvy veteran receiver who has repeatedly shown his ability to get open, totalling an impressive 620 catches for 7,329 yards and 39 TDs in his career. Tate can operate has a true wideout but would more likely be used in the slot and would undoubtedly be a reliable weapon there to add to the armoury of Aaron Rodgers.

Austin Hooper

Another big tight end that fits the bill for something the Packers have wanted for years.

The Falcons are having a terrible season and they may have to seriously consider a roster upheaval.

       

Hooper’s contract expires after this year, making him a far more realistic option than the previously mentioned O.J Howard. Don’t think of him as just a ‘cheap’ option though – Hooper has been incredibly productive for the Falcons despite their dreadful year so far – he’s actually on pace for approximately 110 catches, 1300 yards and 8 TDs.

Devante Parker

The Dolphins are tanking and as a result they hold the leverage in any trade talks for their players, so this may be a tricky one for the Packers if they are unwilling to pay a steep price for a player that has been largely underwhelming since being a top-15 pick five years ago.

It must be considered that Parker has been in a poor offence for all of those years whilst catching passes from Ryan Tannehill for most of them too.

He signed a new contract last year but it is not pricey and 2020 represents an option year for the team, giving them flexibility. That sort of control will only add to the attraction. Although nowhere near the most talented player on this list, he is inexpensive and does have experience.

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