Packers trade Lerentee McCray to Bills for 2018 draft pick

With Tuesday's cut-down deadline fast approaching, the Green Bay Packers have found a way to trim their roster without sacrificing quality players for nothing. The team has traded outside linebacker Lerentee McCray to the Buffalo Bills for a 2018 draft pick.

The Packers signed McCray as a street free agent earlier this offseason with the hopes that the fourth-year man could become a mainstay on special teams and contribute in a reserve role on defense. For his part, McCray performed well during training camp and during the preseason, especially defensively where he regularly generated pressure with his bull rush and finished with a sack.

For the Bills, the acquisition of McCray provides a needed boost to a pass rush missing many of its key players. First-round pick Shaq Lawson expects to miss much of the season as he recovers from shoulder surgery, and a pectoral injury has kept Manny Lawson on the sidelines. In addition to McCray, Buffalo recently signed veteran Kroy Biermann.

With McCray no longer part of the equation, linebacker Jayrone Elliott appears to be in a much stronger position to make the final cut next week. The trade also potentially helps undrafted rookie Reggie Gilbert, who has played well during the preseason.

Along with the players released since Sunday, the Packers have now reached the 75-man roster limit.