Packers Trade Pitch Brings Eagles 23-Year-Old CB to Green Bay

With their first training camp practice kicking off on July 23, the Green Bay Packers still have glaring needs at the cornerback position.

Following the release of All-Pro CB Jaire Alexander on June 9, the presumed starters for the Packers heading into camp are Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine. Nixon, primarily known for his special teams prowess, is expected to be the team’s top outside option.

In Philadelphia, the Eagles have the opposite problem, currently possessing a bounty of talent at corner. The Eagles already have two blue-chip cornerbacks in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and they also have Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson and rookie Mac McWilliams behind them.

Then, there’s third-year CB Eli Ricks, who has had a limited role due to a crowded depth chart. Ricks could find himself sixth or seventh on the depth chart when training camp hits due to all the talent in Philly DBs room. We think it might behoove the Packers to see if they could acquire Ricks in a low-key trade.

Green Bay Packers Should Try to Trade for Eagles CB Eli Ricks

After two seasons at LSU, Ricks finished his collegiate career at Alabama, playing for the Crimson Tide. He went undrafted and caught on with the Eagles. His grit and determination were evident immediately, as he became the only undrafted rookie to make their 53‑man roster that year.

While Ricks showed potential in his 2023 rookie season — he allowed fewer than 50% completions when targeted (36 targets) to go with four pass breakups — his playing time decreased in 2024 after the additions of DeJean and Mitchell, and the team has since added even more competition.

Still on his rookie contract, Ricks is an attractive trade candidate for teams looking to develop a young corner on a budget. Green Bay certainly qualifies.

The Eagles could benefit from trading Ricks by snagging a draft pick without creating a roster hole. At just 23 years old and still on a cost-controlled deal, Ricks fits the mold of players other teams often covet during camp or preseason.

In a realistic trade scenario, the Eagles could send Ricks to the Packers in exchange for a conditional 2026 fifth-round draft pick. The conditions on the pick could escalate it to a fourth-rounder if Ricks plays at least 50% of the Packers’ defensive snaps or logs 5 or more interceptions during the 2025 season.

This type of deal benefits both franchises: the Eagles move an expendable player for future assets, and the Packers buy low on a developmental cornerback with starting upside.

A Closer Look at Green Bay’s CB Depth

Hobbs, who signed a four-year deal with the Packers in March after a solid tenure with the Raiders, brings veteran savvy and physicality to the boundary. Valentine has impressed in spurts since being drafted in 2023 and is developing into a capable rotational piece. Beyond that, the Packers’ depth includes Javon Bullard, Micah Robinson, Gregory Junior and Kalen King, but there is little proven production behind the starters.

Ricks would arrive in Green Bay with a clear path to earning meaningful snaps, especially if he can outperform some of the younger, untested players on the roster. His ability to play both outside and in the slot would make him a versatile fit in Jeff Hafley’s system.

Ricks could immediately compete with Valentine for outside reps and serve as a backup plan in case of injuries to Nixon or Hobbs. At just 23, Ricks still has developmental upside and would be a low-cost insurance policy with the potential to grow into a long-term contributor — the definition of a low-risk, high-reward option.