Panthers: In Possible Trade Position

Will the Carolina Panthers make a move during the upcoming bye week?

After suffering through a 1-5 start to the season, the Carolina Panthers have a couple of glaring needs. The one that is most concerning is the talent at the cornerback position. James Bradberry and Robert Mcclain should return as the starters once healthy, but neither are quality corners. Being a rookie, Bradberry has the most potential but the Panthers are still reeling from the loss of Josh Norman.

Most will blame the loss to the Saints on the secondary because the Panthers offense finally looked like it did last year, putting up 38 points. Drew Brees passed for 465 yards, 4 touchdowns and a 69.4 percent completion rate. The Carolina Panthers can still salvage their season. However, they need better play at the corner position, or maybe even a trade for better talent at the corner position.

The Trade

A name that is comes to mind is the Cleveland Browns’ cornerback, Joe Haden. Insert Haden into the Panthers’ scheme and the defense would get better immediately. The Browns have little front seven pressure, giving opposing quarterbacks plenty of time to pick apart coverage, but Haden is typically in position regardless. Haden would benefit from being on a team with a strong front seven like the Panthers. Recently, Haden sat out the game versus the Titans in Week 6, yet if traded he will be healthy for the Panthers’ next game. If the Panthers wanted to trade for Haden, the time is now. Entering on a bye week this is a perfect time to acquire a new player. It gives the new player time to adapt to the teams scheme and players instead of being thrown into the fire immediately.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

If Dave Gettleman wants to make this trade, he may want to renegotiate Haden’s contract. Joe Haden’s base salary for this year is $10 million, Gettleman could renegotiate his contract making it a little more team-friendly.

Safety Also a Concern

This trade, or a trade like this one is necessary for a team on the verge of missing the playoffs. The Carolina Panthers will most likely miss the playoffs with the secondary playing as awful as it is now. Especially with rookie Darly Worley out with a concussion, the corner depth is at an all time low. A trade at this point demonstrates the Panthers are still invested and looking towards making the playoffs.

If not the corner position, the Panthers need an upgrade at safety. Kurt Coleman is more suited to be a free safety, but can play strong safety so an upgrade at either of the safety positions is a must. The back end of the Panthers’ defense is getting picked apart each and every week. A trade target at safety could be Rashad Jones of the Miami Dolphins.

Oct 4, 2015; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) is defended by Miami Dolphins safety Rashad Jones (20) and cornerback Brice McCain (24) in Game 12 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jones would come at a hefty price since he is the best player in a terrible secondary. The Panthers need a to make a move because they still play a number of quality quarterbacks: Philip Rivers, Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, Carson Palmer, and both Matt Ryan and Drew Brees a second time. The corners that are currently on the team are not primed to go against these quality quarterbacks. Carolina remains hopeful for a playoff run, however they would need to come close to winning out and looking at the opposing quarterbacks, a trade is needed.

The Panthers have the offense and the front seven to make the playoffs, but they need to add at least one quality player in the secondary. A Joe Haden or Rashad Jones would make the Panthers’ defense competitive again.