Chances for a potential Packers WR trade dwindle after Sanu & Sanders moved

Until the last few days, the Green Bay Packers were still thought to be in the market for a veteran wide receiver via a trade, given the injuries to several of their top options at the position. Davante Adams’ turf toe injury has cost him a trio of games and perhaps more, while Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling failed to practice all week leading up to Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.

While one piece of the equation — the Packers’ need at the position — has been somewhat alleviated, it is instead the reduction in available players that is putting the nail in the coffin of the idea that they might acquire a veteran from another team. Two prominent NFL wide receivers are on the move on Tuesday, making waves across the league and driving down the chances that the Packers will trade for a receiver to somewhere just north of zero.

First was Mohamed Sanu, an 8-year NFL veteran and slot specialist. The Atlanta Falcons dealt Sanu to the New England Patriots on Tuesday morning in exchange for a second-round draft pick — a nice haul for a player who was a consistent, albeit not explosive, player.

Then the afternoon came with news that the Denver Broncos are sending Emmanuel Sanders to San Francisco. Sanders seemed to be destined to leave Denver before the deadline, but now he heads to one of the Packers’ NFC rivals — and a squad that they will play in the second half of the season. San Francisco reportedly sent their third- and fourth-round picks for Sanders and a fifth-rounder.

Still, with recent developments in the Packers’ receiver room, the need at that position seems less significant than it was just nine days ago. Allen Lazard has racked up 107 yards and a touchdown on eight catches in the past two games, while Jake Kumerow pitched in with a score on Sunday against Oakland as well. And with another week of recovery for Allison, MVS, and Adams, Aaron Rodgers’ cache of weaponry should be closer to full strength again on Sunday night when the Packers play the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Packers did acquire veteran Ryan Grant last week, signing him off the street as a free agent. A former fifth-round pick of Washington’s in 2014, Grant has the skillset to contribute from the slot or outside if called upon, and had one season with more than 500 receiving yards, in 2017.

But now, the possibility of a wideout heading to Green Bay via trade appears to be dead.