Denver Broncos–Green Bay Packers Trade History

Green Bay sent quarterback Don Horn and the 12th pick in the 1971 draft to Denver for defensive end Alden Roche and the ninth pick. The Packers used No. 9 on John Brockington, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year, earned three straight Pro Bowls and opened his career with three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. That star-level draft outcome makes Green Bay the decisive winner.

Denver acquired offensive tackle Bill Bain from Green Bay for a 1977 third-round pick. Bain immediately became a starter, appearing in all 14 games and starting 13 for the Broncos in 1976. Green Bay used the No. 74 selection on Rick Scribner, who spent time on injured reserve and never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Denver clearly won.

Denver sent defensive end Greg Boyd to Green Bay and received the 1984 eighth-round selection used on Winford Hood. The Broncos preserved future value through a late draft choice, but the eventual return did not create a clear advantage. A C grade fits a transaction where Denver obtained a legitimate asset without turning it into a materially stronger outcome.

Denver received the 1986 sixth-round selection No. 151 and used it on tight end Orson Mobley. Mobley became a multi-year Broncos contributor, giving Denver meaningful roster value from the draft asset and supporting a strong grade for its side. That outcome supports a B grade for Denver Broncos within the final Even Trade verdict.

Denver received the 1994 seventh-round selection No. 212 and used it on Butler By'not'e. By'not'e played nine games for the Broncos and contributed most notably as a returner, but his limited tenure did not equal the line value Green Bay received from Doug Widell. That outcome supports a C- grade for Denver Broncos within the final Green Bay Packers Win verdict.

Denver acquired veteran linebacker Seth Joyner from Green Bay on August 30, 1998 for past considerations. Joyner appeared in all 16 regular-season games for the Broncos, made one start, and stayed with the club through its Super Bowl XXXIII championship run. Because the surviving transaction records do not identify what Green Bay received beyond past considerations, the Broncos' verified on-field contribution is the clearest measurable return.

Denver Broncos received 2001 7th round pick (219th overall subsequently traded, Kynan Forney) while Green Bay Packers received David Bowens. Denver received Green Bay's 2001 seventh-round choice. The Broncos later moved that selection in a separate draft-day transaction, so the value credited here should stop with the pick itself rather than treating a later multi-pick move as if it came entirely from this exchange. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Denver Broncos in this trade.

Green Bay acquired linebacker Nate Wayne from Denver for a 2001 fourth-round pick. Wayne became a three-year Packers starter, appearing in 44 games for Green Bay and starting 40. Denver used the 113th pick on guard-center Ben Hamilton, who started 110 career games and became a long-term Broncos lineman. Both teams received real value, but Hamilton’s decade of line play gives Denver the stronger return.

Denver acquired wide receiver Javon Walker for pick 37. Green Bay immediately packaged that choice with pick 139 to Atlanta for picks 47, 93 and 148, then continued moving pieces of that return. Denver received a high-impact short-term season, but Green Bay transformed the premium choice into several roster pieces and years of starting offensive-line value, giving the Packers the stronger long-term outcome.

Denver traded picks No. 141 and No. 186 to Green Bay for selections No. 129 and No. 204, then drafted tight ends Julius Thomas and Virgil Green. Thomas became a two-time Pro Bowler and major red-zone target during Peyton Manning's record-setting Denver years, while Green supplied years of blocking and depth. Green Bay's D.J. Williams and D.J. Smith provided much less lasting value.

Denver traded the 125th pick in the 2013 draft to Green Bay and received Nos. 146 and 173. The Broncos used those selections on Quanterus Smith and Vinston Painter, while the Packers used No. 125 on Johnathan Franklin. Denver turned one fourth-round slot into two later opportunities, and the added volume gives the Broncos the stronger overall value profile.

Denver Broncos received 2017 5th round pick (172nd overall, Isaiah McKenzie) from Green Bay Packers, sending 2017 5th round pick (175th overall, DeAngelo Yancey) and 2017 7th round pick (238th overall, Devante Mays) the other way. Judging only the original clubs, Denver receives a narrow low-end win. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Denver Broncos, and the overall verdict is Denver Broncos Win.

Green Bay moved back eight spots in the fifth round of the 2022 draft and added an extra seventh-rounder, turning the return into Kingsley Enagbare and Jonathan Ford. Denver used No. 171 on Luke Wattenberg. Wattenberg developed into a useful interior lineman, but Enagbare became a regular part of Green Bay's edge rotation and gives the Packers the stronger combined return from the two selections.