Packers Traded Up for a Kicker in Round 6, and It Shows How Serious They Are About Special Teams

Green Bay wasn't waiting around on Day 3 of the draft. The Packers made a move that turned heads: they traded back into the sixth round to grab Florida kicker Trey Smack at pick No. 216 overall. That's right. A trade up. For a kicker. In the sixth round. That tells you everything about how they're building this roster.

Smack Shows Up When It Matters Most

What made Smack worth the extra draft capital? He was powerful under pressure kicking at Florida. In the NFL, that's the difference between winning close games and losing them. Special teams might look like the third phase, but good organizations know better. The Packers clearly weren't taking chances here. They saw something in Smack's performance at Florida and decided he was worth the investment to get ahead of other teams eyeing the same pick.

A Day 3 That Builds Depth

The kicker wasn't the only move. Green Bay also grabbed Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson in the sixth round at pick No. 201 overall. Before that, they selected Kentucky center/guard Jager Burton in the fifth round at No. 153 overall. Burton was a four-year starter who stayed true to himself on his way to the NFL, exactly the kind of reliable, proven guy you want protecting your quarterback.

These picks paint a picture: the Packers are serious about building around proven, hardworking players who show up when the pressure is on. From Burton's consistency in the trenches to Smack's performance under duress in Gainesville, Green Bay is targeting guys with a track record of executing when it counts.

Special Teams Get Priority

Trading up for a kicker in round six isn't something every team does. It signals that the Packers learned something, or they're not willing to leave things to chance at a position that decides tight games. One bad snap, one missed extra point, one failed field goal attempt in December, and your whole season changes. Green Bay clearly isn't taking that risk.

It's early in the offseason, but the Packers showed their hand: depth, proven production, and no shortcuts at critical spots. That's how you build a roster that sticks around in January.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.