The Carolina Panthers have the worst record in the NFL at 0-6. They are the only winless team remaining in the league as the first year under head coach Frank Reich has not gone according to plan.
Given their current standing, it is understandable why many people are looking at them as being sellers ahead of the trade deadline. Star edge rusher Brian Burns has been one of the most popular names in rumors as the Panthers could look to move him if a long-term deal isn’t going to get done.
Alas, despite this season looking like a lost one in Carolina, there is a chance that they are actually buyers ahead of the deadline. They have reportedly been seeking wide receiver help to put around Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Upgrading the weapons around him does make sense as the Panthers traded a king’s ransom to have the chance to select him. Ironically, one of the players they traded, D.J. Moore, is who they are still looking to replace.
With a huge need at receiver, Jeff Howe of The Athletic has suggested that the Panthers make a move for Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Reports have indicated that Denver is expected to move the former first-round pick before the October 31st deadline.
Carolina would certainly be an intriguing landing spot, giving Young another pass catcher with upside to develop alongside Jonathan Mingo, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. What could a trade between the teams look like? Howe’s suggestion is Carolina sends a fourth and sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to Denver in exchange for Jeudy.
“The Panthers need to get Bryce Young more help, especially at receiver. While the Broncos have rebuffed trade offers short of first-round picks in the past for Jeudy, time isn’t exactly on their side here, and Jeudy doesn’t have the trade value they’ve been seeking. He’s on the books for about $13 million for his fifth-year option in 2024, and the Broncos need to recalibrate the books while determining their future at quarterback. It just hasn’t worked out for Jeudy in Denver, whether it’s due to injuries, QB play or coaching, so he’d probably welcome a fresh start. The Panthers would hope to reinvigorate a 24-year-old who was once billed as a no-doubt NFL star.”
It would certainly be surprising to see the Broncos accept this kind of package as they were reportedly seeking a first-round pick in exchange for him in the offseason. Not even getting a Day 2 pick to headline the return package could be seen as underwhelming by many, but beggars can’t be choosers.
The Broncos need to start recouping draft capital after using so many assets to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Sean Payton. Cleaning the house and stockpiling some assets to find new building blocks makes sense.
The Panthers have their building block in Young at quarterback. Going all-in to get him some more weaponry alongside Adam Thielen makes sense. There are enough tradeable pieces on the roster to recoup whatever it costs to land Jeudy from the Broncos.
