With their first training camp practice set for July 23, the Green Bay Packers still face significant questions at the cornerback position.
After releasing All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander on June 9, the team is expected to enter camp with Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine as its starting trio. Nixon, better known for his impact on special teams, is now projected to be the primary outside corner.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles have the opposite situation, boasting a deep and talented cornerback group. They’re led by top prospects Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, with strong depth behind them in Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson, and rookie Mac McWilliams.
Then there’s third-year cornerback Eli Ricks, whose playing time has been limited thanks to the Eagles’ stacked secondary. With so much talent in Philadelphia’s defensive backfield, Ricks could enter training camp buried as the sixth or seventh corner on the depth chart. Given Green Bay’s thin cornerback group, it might be wise for the Packers to explore a quiet trade for Ricks and see if they can add depth without giving up much in return.
Green Bay Packers Should Try to Trade for Eagles CB Eli Ricks
After spending two seasons at LSU, Eli Ricks wrapped up his college career at Alabama, where he suited up for the Crimson Tide. Despite going undrafted, he impressed the Philadelphia Eagles enough to earn a spot on their 53-man roster—becoming the only undrafted rookie to make the team that year, a testament to his grit and determination.
Eli Ricks flashed promise during his 2023 rookie campaign, holding opposing quarterbacks to under 50% completions on 36 targets and recording four pass breakups. However, his opportunities diminished in 2024 following the arrivals of Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, with even more depth added to Philadelphia’s secondary since.
Still on his rookie deal, Ricks presents an appealing, low-cost trade target for teams seeking to develop a young cornerback — and the Green Bay Packers fit that profile perfectly.
The Eagles stand to gain by trading Eli Ricks, potentially picking up a draft asset without weakening their roster depth. At only 23 and on an affordable rookie contract, Ricks is exactly the kind of young, developmental player teams often target during training camp or the preseason.
A realistic trade scenario could see Philadelphia sending Ricks to the Packers in exchange for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick. The conditions could elevate the pick to a fourth-rounder if Ricks plays at least 50% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps or records five or more interceptions during the 2025 season — giving both sides upside based on performance.
This kind of trade offers clear benefits for both teams: the Eagles turn a surplus player into a future draft asset without weakening their secondary, while the Packers take a low-risk chance on a young cornerback with the potential to develop into a starter.
