HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Will Fuller #15 of the Houston Texans catches a pass for a touchdown as Desmond Trufant #21 of the Atlanta Falcons is unable to make the tackle during the second half at NRG Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
The Packers actually look smart after not dealing for Will Fuller
The NFL trade deadline came and went and Will Fuller is staying with the Houston Texans. That was a bit of a surprise considering he is on an expiring contract with a 1-6 team that has moved on from the disastrous tenure of Bill O’Brien.
The news that came out after the deadline explains why a team like the Green Bay Packers, which was linked to Fuller, didn’t pull the trigger on the receiver.
Packers trusting in their players
A second-round pick for Fuller seems rather high, especially for a Packers team that is 5-2 so far this season. And it’s not like Fuller would automatically be a long-term piece. He will be a free agent following the season.
This is also Will Fuller we are talking about. No offense, but just because he is leading the Texans with 490 receiving yards this season doesn’t mean he is worth such a high draft pick. His career-high in yards is 670 and if the Texans really wanted to trade him, they would have offered proper compensation.
The Packers receiving corps is fine as long as Davante Adams stays healthy. He leads the team with 43 receptions in only five games and the next-closest players are tight end Robert Tonyan and running back Jamaal Williams with 23 receptions.
Packers fans may be frustrated because the team is so top-heavy with Adams at receiver. But the compensation is the thing to focus on here and a team can’t sacrifice such a high pick for a receiver who is not going to come in and be a top option.
Fans in Green Bay, and Aaron Rodgers for that matter, have a right to be annoyed with how the team can’t seem to draft or trade for top receivers. Fans should also not expect the front office to overspend on someone when the offense is running smoothly.
The loss Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings put the Packers at 5-2. Gifting the Texans a second-round pick for Fuller would have been an overreaction. Unfortunately for the Packers, O’Brien is gone and a potentially no-brainer deal with the Texans is no longer automatic.