After starting the year off 3-0, the Carolina Panthers have stumbled to a 3-4 record and appear to be in a freefall. Quarterback Sam Darnold has looked like the version of himself that was on the New York Jets last season. That even got him benched during Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. The Panthers are a team that has young talent and appear as they might make a push for the playoffs, but they have some areas on the team that they need to figure out. The upcoming trade deadline might be the time to do just that.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Trade Deadline Previews.
The Panthers Current Status
Current Record: 3-4
Division Standings: Last in the NFC South
In the Playoff Picture: No
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
Current NFL Draft Slot: 14th Overall
Potential Trade #1: 2022 first-round pick, 2023 first-round pick, and 2024 first-round pick to the Houston Texans for Deshaun Watson
This is going to be the most debated issue leading up to the trade deadline. Watson is a franchise quarterback and one of the best in football when he is playing. However, with the sexual assault allegations involving Watson ongoing, it is not clear whether he will be traded or even play if he is traded. With the way that Darnold has been playing lately for Carolina, it would not be surprising if Carolina got desperate enough to try and get involved with the Texans and try to work out a deal. It is probably going to take multiple first-round picks, and maybe even a young player for the Texans to consider making a deal. Carolina can make the argument that they are one quarterback away from being a playoff team, so don’t be surprised if you hear Carolina get in the mix.
Potential Trade #2: 2022 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Andre Dillard
One of the few weaknesses that the Panthers have is on the offensive line. Finding good offensive linemen is not the easiest thing to do at the trade deadline, but the guy that has the most potential is Dillard. A former first-round pick for the Eagles, Dillard has not been able to find consistency in Philadelphia and a change of scenery might be beneficial for both sides. It might not fix every problem that the Panthers have on their offensive line, but getting a player that is still young like Dillard could pay off in the long run for the Panthers. A fifth-round pick is not much to give up for a player like that.
Potential Trade #3: 2023 second-round pick to the New York Jets for Marcus Maye
Another big-time trade that the Panthers should consider is one for the Jets’ safety. Maye has been in a contract dispute with the team and it appears as if they are wanting to trade their young safety. While the Panthers have good, young players in their secondary like Jeremy Chinn and Jaycee Horn, another safety would help things with the Panthers on the back-end of their defense. While the Panthers do not have a second-round pick in the 2022 draft due to the trade for Darnold, Carolina does have a second-round pick in 2023 and that should be enough to get another deal done with the Jets. New York could use another pick in their rebuild and the Panthers could use a talented safety like Maye.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk
Follow Jackson Caudell on Twitter @jacksoncaudell
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
One Response