The Jets traded picks No. 36 and No. 113 to Green Bay for No.…
The Jets traded picks No. 36 and No. 113 to Green Bay for No. 30 and selected tight end Dustin Keller. Keller became a productive five-year Jet with 241 catches, 2,876 yards and 17 touchdowns. Green Bay selected Jordy Nelson at No. 36 and later reused No. 113. Nelson became a franchise-level receiver, Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler, making the Packers the decisive winner.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 2008 2nd round pick (36th overall, Jordy Nelson)
- pick 2008 4th round pick (113th overall subsequently traded, Dwight Lowery )
New York Jets Received
- pick 2008 1st round pick (30th overall, Dustin Keller)
Trade Analysis
Why the Jets Moved Up
New York sent Green Bay picks No. 36 and No. 113 for the 30th selection in the 2008 draft. The Jets used No. 30 on Purdue tight end Dustin Keller, adding an athletic receiving option to an offense that wanted more speed in the middle of the field. Green Bay accepted a six-slot move down and an extra fourth-round asset.
What Keller Gave New York
Keller was a good player for the Jets. Across five seasons he caught 241 passes for 2,876 yards and 17 touchdowns, started 48 games and became a consistent target through multiple quarterback changes. He led the team in receptions in both 2010 and 2011 and contributed during consecutive runs to the AFC Championship Game. That is legitimate first-round value.
What Green Bay Received
The Packers selected Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson at No. 36. Nelson developed into one of the most productive receivers of the Aaron Rodgers era, highlighted by 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011 and a career-high 1,519 yards in 2014. He made the Pro Bowl, won Super Bowl XLV and became a long-term offensive centerpiece.
Why This Trade Still Matters
The team trading up did not fail. Keller became exactly the kind of productive starter a late first-round pick should produce. Green Bay simply found the superior player after moving down and gaining another asset. That distinction matters because hindsight grading should reward exceptional Packers value without pretending the Jets received nothing from a successful five-year starter.
Final Verdict
Green Bay Packers Win. Nelson's championship role, receiving peak and long Packers tenure earn Green Bay an A+. New York receives a B because Keller was a productive five-year contributor. The Jets made a reasonable trade and got a good player; the Packers made an exceptional trade and landed the much more valuable one.