In need of a difference-maker and armed with a stockpile of draft picks, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst could view his first draft as an opportune time to trade up for a player.

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky boldly predicted Gutekunst will attempt to trade up to the top 10 during the 2018 NFL Draft.

“Look for Gutekunst to make his biggest splashes in the draft, considering his history as a college scout. Last year, Thompson traded out of the first round. Expect the opposite this year. Look for Gutekunst to try to trade up from No. 14 overall and get the Packers into the top 10 for the first time since 2009,” Demovsky wrote.

In 2009, former Packers general manager Ted Thompson took nose tackle B.J. Raji at No. 9 overall. He later traded back into the first round to draft outside linebacker Clay Matthews, helping complete Green Bay’s transformation under defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

Gutekunst could use a similar start to his draft in 2018. Trading up could be one way to get it done.

The Packers have several talented pieces on defense, but the team lacks a true difference-making player. If Gutekunst could find one – whether it’s an edge rusher, cornerback or any other position – the Packers defense could make immediate progress in the first year under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb, Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edwards, Georgia’s Roquan Smith and Florida State’s Derwin James are all players sitting inside the top 10 of Draft Wire’s big board that could tempt the Packers into trading up from the 14th pick in the first round.

Gutekunst should have at least 11 draft picks by the time compensatory picks are handed out, which should include an extra third-round pick going to Green Bay. He could have as many as 12 picks based on past conditional trades. The Packers will have the ammo to move up. But will the right opportunity present itself in April?