Just hours before kickoff of their Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, the Carolina Panthers were linked to the trade market. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, on Sunday morning, reported that the team has been actively on the lookout for a starting wide receiver.
Then, the game happened—only enforcing the idea that the offense definitely needs some more firepower.
Buy Panthers TicketsSo, if that’s the case, here are eight potential targets who may be available in a swap:
Davante Adams
We’ll try to knock your socks off right at the beginning, with one of the game’s most prolific pass catchers. But, as is the case with any player of Adams’ caliber, this would be a highly-complicated situation for Carolina to even try to navigate through.
While Adams has, perhaps, hinted at some dissatisfaction of where the 1-3 Las Vegas Raiders are at—the Panthers may be ill-equipped to take a shot at the three-time First-team All-Pro. Not only are they without a few high-end picks as a result of their deal for the 2023 No. 1 overall selection, but they’re in an even bleaker position at 0-4.
If Adams wants to win now and has any type of say in any possible move, Charlotte is not a logical destination at the moment.
Hunter Renfrow
Adams’ teammate, however, is a much likelier target—for a few reasons.
For one, the Panthers probably wouldn’t have to fork over a whole lot for Renfrow—who has played in less than half of the Raiders’ offensive snaps thus far. Plus, the former Pro Bowler is quite the technician on his routes—which would gift quarterback Bryce Young some much-needed separation.
But, there could be concerns about a fit considering he and Adam Thielen both do their best work out of the slot. The $13.7-million cap hit in 2024 would also be another potential obstacle.
Courtland Sutton
From one pair of AFC West teammates to another, we begin our trip to Denver with Sutton.
Had the Broncos not staged their comeback against the Chicago Bears this past Sunday to avoid an 0-4 start, talks of a fire sale may be a bit hotter. And with head coach Sean Payton brought in to help fix quarterback Russell Wilson and his ponies for the present, they’ll likely hold on to their top weapons as long as they can.
If they ultimately decide to part with Sutton, the 6-foot-4, 216-pounder can bring a different dimension to a Carolina receiving room that isn’t exactly the most imposing from a physical standpoint.
Jerry Jeudy
Much of the same, obviously, goes for Jeudy.
The 2020 15th overall pick has yet to really stick on in Denver, as he’s totaled 2,453 yards and nine touchdowns over 44 games. While he just missed out on sharing a college sideline with Young, Jeudy could give his fellow Alabama product a dangerous deep threat.
Tee Higgins
Similarly to Adams, Higgins would come at a pretty penny—especially considering the upside of the 6-foot-4 24-year-old. And like the Raiders, the 1-3 Bengals may not be ready to pack it in on their 2023 season just yet.
Higgins, however, is currently on the final year of his rookie deal and is likely to end the campaign without an extension from Cincinnati. So if the Panthers want to jump the line on free agency and give up another high draft pick, they could bring the Clemson boy back home.
Marquise Brown
Speaking of 1-3 teams, the Arizona Cardinals’ 1-3 looks a lot better than the 1-3 the Bengals, Broncos and Raiders are currently hauling around. In the face of extremely low expectations, first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon has bussed his undermanned squad to some competitive outings already.
So, they could very well choose to hold on to Brown—even on the last year of his contract. If not, the certified downfield threat would be a nice addition for a Carolina offense that is struggling to get downfield.
Chase Claypool
Claypool, who has been instructed to stay away from his team, seems all but gone in the Windy City. Would the Panthers, however, be willing to bite at what’s presumably a very, very low price?
Eh, probably not. But since he’s a relatively high-profile name who’s up for grabs, we kinda have to include him here.
Van Jefferson
Are we up for a father-son reunion?
Van, son of Panthers wide receivers coach Shawn, has amassed just 15 targets over four games for the Los Angeles Rams. So he may be even more lost in the fold with the impending return of Cooper Kupp.
Along with his dad, Jefferson also has a notable Carolina connection in offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.
