The Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders pulled off a blockbuster trade on Thursday that sent the NFL world into a frenzy, and in the process a pair of Tennessee Titans 2021 draft picks were collateral damage.
The Packers sent star wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for two 2022 NFL draft picks, one in the first round and another in the second. Green Bay also opens up nearly $20 million in cap space.
As far as those picks are concerned, they just so happen to fall in the exact same spots the Titans drafted out of last year, No. 22 and No. 53.
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks pointed to the Titans’ selections of cornerback Caleb Farley and offensive lineman Dillon Radunz as examples of why getting picks for a proven player like Adams isn’t ideal.
Imagine selling to your fan base that you traded the best WR in the game for Caleb Farley (22, 2021) and Dillon Radunz (53, 2021). No disrespect, but those are the faces associated with the picks the @packers picked up for Adams.
It’s hard to turn picks into players. #NFL
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) March 18, 2022
Every Titans fan just cringed reading that.
While this analysis is a bit unfair to both Radunz and Farley, both of whom the jury is still very much out on after what was no doubt a rough rookie campaign for both, we understand where Brooks is coming from.
The Packers traded a guaranteed great player for a pair of question marks, and this trade will look a lot worse if said selections don’t work out. Now, if those picks turn into a pair of Pro Bowlers, it no doubt softens the blow.
On the other hand, the Packers didn’t really have a choice, it seems. Adams wanted out and even turned down more money from Green Bay to play for the Raiders, something that was his lifelong dream.
When it comes to Farley and Radunz, both are expected to assume starting roles in 2022. A failure to do so, struggle in said roles, the talk about them being busts will commence.
