The Carolina Panthers are staring at a deadline that could go a few different directions, and that uncertainty makes their roster a lot more interesting. They could push in and buy, they could stay quiet, or they could use the moment to move on from a few pieces that no longer fit. If they do decide to deal, there are several names that make sense as trade chips.
Rasheed Walker sits near the top of that conversation, even if a move away from Carolina still feels highly unlikely. The left side has been a problem in pass protection, and if Taylor Moton returns, Monroe Freeling would lose his spot.
That creates a messy roster situation, especially with a prized draft pick involved and the Panthers wanting to keep Freeling where he’s supposed to play. Walker is cheap, though, and that could matter to a team desperate for tackle help.
Luke Fortner is another player who could end up on the block, even if the Panthers are still sticking with him as the starter for now. Sam Hecht should be getting that job, and Brady Christensen could handle backup center duties. Moving on from Fortner would basically mean admitting things have gone sideways, but the league always has teams looking for center depth, and a late-round pick might be enough to get a deal done.
John Metchie III belongs in the mix too. When he’s been pressed into action, he has looked solid, which is exactly why he could become available.
He’s on a one-year contract and usually profiles as the WR5. He doesn’t contribute on special teams, so receiver-needy teams could view him as a useful pickup.
His status, though, is tied to the health of Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette. If Coker is fine and Legette returns from IR quickly, Metchie becomes easier to move.
If not, the Panthers may need to keep him.
The backfield also brings a few decisions. Jonathon Brooks is expected back at some point, and Trevor Etienne could return this week.
That leaves less room for AJ Dillon, even though he has still shown he can be a solid player. If Carolina deals him, the Green Bay Packers are the team that makes the most sense, given his history there.
If no trade comes together, Dillon could wind up cut and sent to the practice squad, though another team or two might be willing to give up a future seventh-round pick.
Then there’s Ja'Tavion Sanders, who may be the clearest trade candidate of the bunch. He’s still young and has some upside, but he has no future with the Panthers.
He keeps getting scratched despite being completely healthy, and the tight end room is crowded. He hasn’t brought enough to the table to force his way into the picture.
Because he’s young and inexpensive, Sanders looks like the kind of player Carolina could move even if it ends up buying elsewhere at the deadline.
In Other News...
Panthers Suddenly Face A Trade Deadline Decision That Could Define This Start
The Panthers have spent the first part of this season looking like a team with real offensive firepower, but the deeper issues around them are starting to show up in the places that usually decide how far a good start can go. Injuries at wide receiver have thinned out the options, and the offensive line and defense both still have spots that could use help if Carolina wants to keep pace as the schedule gets tougher.
So the trade deadline has become a live conversation in the building, and not just for depth. Carolina could use a proven receiver like Jerry Jeudy, help inside with Landon Dickerson, more pressure off the edge from Josh Sweat or Josh Uche, another linebacker in Willie Gay Jr., or even a corner like Donte Jackson, depending on how the market breaks. The problem is that every one of those fixes comes with its own cost, and the Panthers now have to decide how aggressive they want to be before the seasons early promise starts to get tested. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Backfield Shakeup Adds Intrigue To A.J. Dillon Absence
The Panthers backfield is getting a different look for Week 6, with head coach Dave Canales activating Trevor Etienne off injured reserve and elevating Anthony Tyus III from the practice squad to the active roster. The moves come as Carolina adjusts to a short-term absence at running back, and they add another layer to a rotation that has already been in flux as the team searches for stability in the ground game.
Etiennes return gives Carolina another option with a familiar track record from his college days, while Tyus gets a chance to carry over the momentum that has kept him in the conversation since joining the organization. For the Panthers, the immediate question is how much each back can handle in game action and how the depth chart settles with AJ Dillon ruled out for the upcoming game, leaving the backfield situation a little more open than it looked a week ago. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Penix Jr Just Sent Falcons Fans An Encouraging Signal
Michael Penix Jr. was back on the practice field after a ribs injury, and the Falcons quarterback said he feels ready for Week 6, a promising sign for Atlanta as it tries to steady its offense. For Carolina, it is a familiar kind of checkpoint in the NFC South, where every bit of quarterback news can ripple through a division race and alter how a defense prepares for the next meeting.
Ejiro Evero also spent time addressing one of his own defenders, pointing to Akayleb Evans Week 4 performance and noting the areas that still need cleaning up while expressing confidence the cornerback can correct his mistakes. It is the sort of midseason evaluation that matters in Carolina, especially with divisional games and weekly adjustments piling up, and it comes as New Orleans is dealing with its own issues after owner Gayle Benson publicly voiced disappointment over the Saints 1-4 start and called for accountability throughout the organization. [Read more 🡒]