tiggerpolice

The Green Bay Packers have taken a significant step toward trading disgruntled receiver Javon Walker by giving him permission to visit interested teams for a physical, an NFL source confirmed Thursday.


Walker, who went to the Pro Bowl after the 2004 season but then sustained a serious knee injury last year, is visiting the New Orleans Saints today and is scheduled to visit the Denver Broncos on Friday.


New England, Miami and possibly Kansas City are believed to be interested in acquiring Walker as well.


The source said the Packers are looking for a first-round draft pick for Walker, though there’s always the chance they’d settle for a second-rounder from either the Saints or Broncos.

New Orleans has second pick of the second round, which is pick No. 34 overall. They Saints also reportedly are seeking to trade receiver Donte’ Stallworth, who was the 13th pick overall in the same 2001 draft in which the Packers selected Walker at No. 20 overall.

Denver has the 15th pick overall in the first round, and if it isn’t willing to trade that for Walker, it also has the fifth pick of the second round, No. 37 overall. The Broncos also are looking to trade disappointing receiver Ashley Lelei, who’s been a relative bust ever since Denver selected one pick ahead of Walker in that same 2001 draft. Another source said the Packers have shown little interest in obtaining Lelie.

If either or both teams are happy with the progress of Walker’s recovery from knee-reconstruction surgery, then a deal for Walker could come in the next day or so.

PackersNews.com