Panthers fire sale? Nope. But three players make sense on trade block before deadline
The Carolina Panthers are in awkward spot following Monday’s firing of head coach Matt Rhule. While many assume the Panthers will coast during their final 12 games and look to get a top quarterback prospect in next year’s draft, there’s still a lot of time left to turn around their shortcomings.
Interim head coach Steve Wilks and GM Scott Fitterer are working to keep their jobs for the long haul, and while trading some role players for future assets is a swell idea, it’s hard to see the Panthers having a straight-up fire sale following owner David Tepper’s press conference on Monday.
The Panthers have some notable names on their roster, such as Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Jaycee Horn, Jeremy Chinn, Derrick Brown and Brian Burns. However, trading any of those players could take away the appeal of the roster for a future head-coaching candidates. Future draft picks are nice, but unless the Panthers are blown away by trade offers, they should keep their core group of young players intact for the next boss.
McCaffrey has been a popular trade name, both nationally and locally, but he comes with a $7.5 million dead money hit, according to Over The Cap. Unless the Panthers get a package that makes taking away a bunch of cap flexibility palatable, there’s no reason to rush the 26-year-old playmaker — the Panthers’ best offensive player — off the depth chart.
Instead, the Panthers should shop role players who could provide tangible depth and production for playoff contenders for reasonable returns ahead of the trade deadline on Nov. 1.
Here are three potential trade assets for the Panthers:
WR Robbie Anderson
Anderson is one of pillars of the Rhule era. He is easily the most notable player from Rhule’s college reunion group on the team, and he has been the former head coach’s disciple since their days at Temple. That’s why it makes sense to trade Anderson with Rhule being pushed out of town.
So far this season, Anderson has been a full-time starter and a part-time playmaker. He’s averaged just 2.6 catches per game, and his weekly average of 41.2 receiving yards per game has been pedestrian. Clearly, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is comfortable spreading the ball elsewhere.
Anderson is signed through 2023 and could be a major asset for a playoff contender. Teams like the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans could all use wideout help, and Anderson is a genuine field-stretch when used properly.
Anderson would have a massive dead-money hit of $9.72 million — according to Over the Cap — but he would also save the Panthers $1.23 million in a trade. A fifth-round pick seems reasonable for a role player who has another year left on his deal.
DE Marquis Haynes
Playoff contenders typically try to add depth to rotational spots ahead of the trade deadline. Haynes, a rotational pass rusher, would fit that mold as a trade asset.
The 28-year-old pass rusher could be a nice fit for a team like the Philadelphia Eagles, as the squad values pass-rushing depth. Haynes isn’t a starting-caliber player, but he can bring experience and athleticism to a rotation.
With a cheap salary of $1.04 million, Haynes would only create $500,000 in dead money for the Panthers. He would also be very affordable for a playoff contender with a tight salary-cap situation. Haynes also has one more year on his contract — with a $1.44 million base salary in 2023 — so he has some long-term value in a deal.
Like Anderson, a fifth-round pick would be a logical return for Haynes, who has eight career sacks on his resume.
CB Donte Jackson
Teams looking for starting cornerback help should key in on Jackson as a trade asset. Jackson is a talented and versatile corner, who could help a team with a banged up secondary.
Just 27, Jackson has a lot of football left in his future. He’s signed through 2024 and should fetch a Day 2 pick in a trade. Jackson has produced 12 interceptions during his five-year career, and that playmaking ability should entice a team that feels like it needs an upgrade at cornerback.
Jackson is still young and could help a playoff contender for a long time. While the Panthers shouldn’t rush to part with Jackson, the presence of Jaycee Horn could make them feel better about moving on from him with a strong return. If Jackson can fetch a second- or third-round pick, Fitterer should consider a swap.
This story was originally published October 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Panthers fire sale? Nope. But three players make sense on trade block before deadline."
