The Carolina Panthers made a blockbuster trade in the offseason when they acquired the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately for them, that trade looks to be a bust in the early going, creating more holes than it filled.

While the Panthers came away with Bryce Young, who they hope is their long-term starter at quarterback, the cost of doing business was exorbitant. Not only did they surrender multiple premium picks, but No. 1 wide receiver D.J. Moore was also included.

With less than a week until the NFL Trade Deadline, the Panthers are now in the market for a No. 1 receiver to help Young. If they had the opportunity to hit the redo button on the trade, many people within the organization likely would.

Finding a bonafide No. 1 option ahead of the trade deadline certainly won’t be easy. Without their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and given their current place in the standings, it is a near certainty they won’t be targeting top-end talent.

But, Brad Spielberger of PFF believes there is one player who would fit their needs right now; Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos. Whether Sean Payton wants to admit it or not, the Broncos need a reset and Sutton is one player who could be on the move.

“We suggested a different Broncos wide receiver get traded to Carolina last week, but this time we go with the veteran in Sutton. We failed to mention the connection for both players to Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who served as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator in 2022.

Sutton had one of the highlight catches of the young NFL season in the left corner of the end one against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, and he leads the team with 25 receptions, 275 yards and four touchdowns. Sutton’s five contested catches through Week 6 are tied for the ninth most among wide receivers on the season, and he can provide a big-bodied target that routinely boxes out defenders and wins on jump balls, an element from which Bryce Young could benefit.”

Sutton’s name has been in trade rumors for months. Dating back to the offseason, both he and Jerry Juedy have seemingly been on the trade block. But this time around, it sounds like Denver is ready to make moves.

For the Panthers, Sutton would be a nice upgrade on the perimeter. They’re getting nothing from their current wide receiver group outside Adam Theilen, who is ranked 9th in PFF grade out of 114 receivers; the next best is Terrace Marshall Jr., who is 80th. Sutton, on the other hand, is 35th.

Spielberger suggested the Panthers trade a 2024 fourth-round pick and 2025 sixth-round pick to the Broncos to get the deal done. Normally, trading away more draft capital isn’t best for business for a rebuilding team. But Carolina needs more talent to get Young on track and there are players on their roster who should net strong returns on the trade market to even things out.