Green Bay traded the 36th pick in the 2006 draft to New…
Green Bay traded the 36th pick in the 2006 draft to New England for Nos. 52 and 75, then selected Greg Jennings and Jason Spitz. Jennings became a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver and key part of the Packers' championship offense, while Spitz started 45 games for Green Bay. New England used No. 36 on Chad Jackson, whose Patriots tenure was brief and limited.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 2006 2nd round pick (52nd overall, Greg Jennings)
- pick 2006 3rd round pick (75th overall, Jason Spitz )
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2006 2nd round pick (36th overall, Chad Jackson)
Trade Analysis
Why New England Moved Up
The Patriots targeted wide receiver Chad Jackson and climbed from the middle of the second round to No. 36. Green Bay accepted picks No. 52 and No. 75, giving the Packers two selections in exchange for one. Both clubs were seeking offensive help, but they took opposite approaches: New England concentrated its capital while Green Bay spread it across two players.
What Green Bay Received
Pick No. 52 became Greg Jennings, who developed into a major playmaker. Jennings spent seven seasons with Green Bay, caught 425 passes for 6,537 yards and 53 touchdowns as a Packer, and was a central part of the Super Bowl XLV championship offense. Pick No. 75 became Jason Spitz, who appeared in 65 games for Green Bay and made 45 starts. Together they supplied high-end receiving production plus useful offensive-line service.
How New England Fared
Jackson never became the receiving answer New England expected from the move. His Patriots tenure was brief, and he produced only a small fraction of the offensive value Jennings eventually delivered in Green Bay. Because the Patriots surrendered two selections to move up, the miss carried an added opportunity cost: Green Bay found useful players with both pieces.
Why This Trade Still Matters
The trade is a vivid example of how moving down can multiply upside when scouting is strong. Green Bay did not merely collect extra capital; it converted both selections into contributors, including a championship-level receiver. New England's aggressive move became costly because the targeted player failed to develop.
Final Verdict
Green Bay Packers Win. Green Bay earns an A+ for landing Jennings and Spitz from two picks acquired in the move down. New England receives a D because Jackson did not provide the expected return on a high second-round investment, especially compared with the players Green Bay selected. The production gap is overwhelming.