Are the Panthers buyers or sellers at the trade deadline? Who they can move or trade for
General manager Scott Fitterer enters his first NFL trade deadline in Carolina with several key decisions to make. First, there is Deshaun Watson. Last week, The Observer reported that the Panthers were out of talks for the embattled quarterback.
Fitterer will shift his focus to other parts of the roster. Can he find offensive line help? Is it worth adding to the defensive line considering the recent injury to defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon?
His most complex decision is whether the Panthers (4-4) are buyers or sellers. In a cloudy playoff picture, Carolina hovers around Minnesota (3-4) and the 49ers (3-4) for the No. 7 and final wild-card playoff spot should the season end today. They are a game behind New Orleans and two back of the NFC South leading Buccaneers.
As far-fetched as it sounds, the Panthers are 2-0 in division play and face a back-loaded division schedule. It’s quite possible they remain in the playoff picture a while longer.
There is a case to be made as to why the Panthers should sell assets and recoup draft picks. Or Fitterer remains aggressive and deals to shore up some holes. Let’s explore both options and highlight a few players to watch ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline.
If the Panthers are sellers
▪ Last week, cornerback A.J. Bouye’s name surfaced in a report from MMQB senior NFL reporter Albert Breer. Carolina signed Bouye in April and endured his early two-game suspension. Since, he’s played 277 snaps, including 33 (62%) on Sunday.
Opponents are catching 80% of their targets against Bouye. Though Pro Football Focus gave him a healthy 73.3 coverage grade, he’s allowing a higher percentage of receptions than Donte Jackson and rookie Keith Taylor.
Jackson and Taylor played more than Bouye against Atlanta. With Stephon Gilmore back and rookie Jaycee Horn a part of future plans, the Panthers are deep at corner. Signing Jackson and Bouye both to long-term deals is unlikely. Thus, finding a defensive back needy team and landing a mid-round pick for him could appeal to Fitterer.
▪ Robby Anderson is another name to watch, though his market is probably far from robust. The Panthers signed Anderson to a two-year, $29 million contract this offseason after his career season of 95 catches and 1,096 yards.
But as the Panthers’ passing offense lies dormant, Anderson has become an afterthought. He didn’t catch a pass versus the Falcons and was targeted once. Trading Anderson would cost Carolina about $15 million in dead cap. Another reason he’ll likely stay.
But if the right suitor calls then the Panthers’ offense wouldn’t necessarily miss him.
If the Panthers are buyers
Fitterer making a move to improve his offensive or defensive line seems possible. The Panthers have been buyers all season and are still building toward coach Matt Rhule’s completed vision.
Offensive line is a difficult position to trade for because talented ones aren’t often made available. Last year, Washington parting with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams was an anomaly. However, there are some middle-class options the Panthers may explore.
▪ Jaguars guard Andrew Norwell seems on his way out of Jacksonville. The former Panther is playing well, but Jacksonville is selling assets, as Fitterer already knows considering his trade for cornerback C.J. Henderson last month.
Acquiring Norwell would take some roster gymnastics. Carolina would be responsible for about $8 million of his 2021 salary. However, his presence would help the Panthers.
Interior line issues. Trent Scott started at right guard on Sunday, marking Carolina’s sixth different offensive line combination.
Norwell could steady the Panthers’ revolving door of interior line play while also providing Pro Bowl talent.
▪ Fourth-year defensive tackle Tim Settle of the Washington Football Team isn’t playing enough because WFT rosters a deep defensive line. They’ve got holes elsewhere which could make Settle available for a player or low draft pick.
Pro Football Focus rates Settle as a fierce pass rusher from inside. His 79.2 rush grade since 2020 is 13th best among defensive tackles. The Panthers lost Nixon for the season last week to a knee injury. Against Atlanta, Bravvion Roy, DaQuan Jones and Derrick Brown earned all the defensive tackle reps.
That’s been the norm all season but landing Settle provides added depth and a slight upgrade to Carolina’s current rotation. A team that trades for him would take on about $600,000 of his remaining rookie deal.
▪ Two other names to watch are Dolphins guard Solomon Kindley and Lions defensive tackle Nick Williams.
Miami selected Kindley in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. He started 13 games for the Dolphins as a rookie, but this season he fell out of the lineup early in training camp. Kindley was taking second- and third-team reps. His playing time hasn’t increased despite the Dolphins 1-7 start.
He wouldn’t provide the instant impact Norwell would. But he comes a lot cheaper and could develop into a long-term starter.
Williams, a 31-year-old defensive tackle, doesn’t have a spot in Detroit anymore. The Lions spent several mid-round picks on interior linemen and are allotting playing time there instead. Williams would be another cheap but serviceable option for Fitterer.
