We bring you part two of this week’s fan mailbag!
Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! This week, it was all about trade targets and potential moves in free agency, as we’re about a month removed from the second most fun part of the off-season. I’m answering your questions, and highlighting some of the answers to our weekly topic! Let’s dive in! Join us next week for another round of questions and answers!
Bruce Guild: Best all time player addition through trade in Panther history.
Greg Olsen?
Greg Olsen is certainly the best, as the Panthers traded away only a 3rd round selection for one of the best statistical receiving tight ends on all time, being the first to lock in three 1,000 yard seasons consecutively as a Panther. You could also maybe point to the Panthers trading away a 6th round pick for DE Jared Allen in 2015, when the Panthers were going on a bit of a run but became thin at defensive end after Charles Johnson went out with an injury for a considerable amount of the regular season.
My personal favorite will always be the Panthers trading a 7th round pick in 2012 for safety Colin Jones, who ranks just below Greg Olsen at 19th all-time in games played as a Panther with 124. and 7th all time as a defender. Hard to find players as good as The Ace That Ran The Place by trading away a 7th round pick.
PantherBlueBlood: I would take a pass on Myles & Coop. With Carter off the board would you be willing to trade back for additional picks?
The question of the off-season will continue to be whether the Panthers should trade back from #8 overall, and while the objective answer is always going to be “yes, absolutely acquire more picks” as my friend D.A. Sweat will tout throughout the offseason, my response is very simple; it takes two to tango. The Panthers can trade back, but this would mean a player is available that another team is willing to trade up FOR. Sure, there’s always a late riser QB who might find himself in the top 10 of the Draft, and in that instance, yes absolutely pull the trigger on a trade back. But with the remaining position groups, let’s say the EDGE/DL well has dried up for the Panthers at 8. Would it behoove them to not take one of the top CBs, safeties, or WRs there? I’m not so sure. The Panthers really need to nail the first pick of this draft. I say trade back if you hold a gun to my head, but they may be letting a premier talent go just to gather more assets that are going to be less of a sure thing. But for now, I am on Trade Back Island.
@WTMealey: What are some under rated trades that we can make? I’m thinking similar to the Mike Jackson or Mingo trades. It might not even be paid attention to outside of the media of the two teams, but we get a little better.
The under the radar trades tend to happen closer to draft time, but I’ll try to give this a whirl. Bengals DE Sam Hubbard, Bears TE Cole Kmet, Packers LB Quay Walker, Colts DL Grover Stewart, Raiders CB Jack Jones, Titans EDGE Harold Landry. I pulled this from Bleacher Report’s list of top trade guide for every team.
It’s hard to even get into what the trade capital would look like since we haven’t even entered free agency yet, but Carolina could certainly pull the trigger on some veterans and younger guys who might have fallen out of favor with their current team, especially on defense.
GooseCreek: Why would the Panthers be willing to let Brady Christiansen walk? Why would Brady Christiansen be willing to stay with the Panthers?
The easy answer to the first part is simple; money and opportunity. At the moment, barring a retirement by Taylor Moton, there aren’t any openings at guard or tackle for BC. He might be given the opportunity at center, as that position is currently open for business. But if BC tests the open market, he might get signed to start as a tackle. And Carolina hasn’t exactly showed devotion to him as the starter in the interior even when someone gets hurt. But, he might come back for the right money and to not upend his life right now. I would think it makes sense to look at him as a potential starting center, but the team didn’t do that down the stretch in 2025. Maybe that changes if they go into the offseason with him signed as and penciled in for the starting role.
panthers2112: I haven’t looked at free agents this season, but is there a group on defense that you believe Morgan could overhaul the way he did the offensive line this past season in free agency?
I think safety and interior linebacker both have that potential in this offseason. There’s always a slew of safety talent on the market come free agency open, they could go sign Budda Baker and Jevon Holland right off the top and lock down that position. Or, for ILB, Zach Baun or Nick Bolton could get paired right alongside Josey Jewell or go find more veterans at the twilight of their careers in Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner to at least plug that hole. There’s some talent out there, Carolina will just have to make the numbers work for them to come to a team that isn’t immediately in playoff contention.
KeepPounding88: Do you think the Falcons would even consider trading Pitts to a divisional rival? The former Gator legend needs to be free.
I highly doubt the Panthers are on the list of teams they’d trade Kyle Pitts to. It might actually make sense for them to give him a full season with Michael Penis before even considering a trade to the Panthers. Plus, the Panthers need a more complete tight end to compliment JT Sanders right now, in my opinion.
packpowerfan: Non-trade related: Why is Starks draft stock dropping? I’m seeing him fall out of the first in a handful of mocks now and I am big confuse.
Trade related: We can guess one of DT or S is going to be addressed in FA or through a trade. Beyond the easy FA picks, are there any targets you think we’d target.
Its that time of the off-season, where mock drafts are in full swing and nothing of any substance is happening to make any major changes. We’re all grasping at straws until the combine happens, and even then, the draft never goes the way anybody envisioned after the top 5-10 picks typically. I’d just call it Offseason nonsense, because I see plenty of other mocks where he’s going in the first.
I think the Panthers could make a play for DL Milton Williams from the Eagles. I don’t know if that’s considered an obvious choice, but I think the Panthers should go after whatever Eagles defensive linemen are available through trade or free agency. Heck, go get Jordan Davis if the Eagles are selling. They’ll probably replace him in the draft with another big defensive lineman because they always do.
Bull123: would we consider trading our 1st rounder for Garrett DE from the browns or Wilson WR from the jets?
I think WR Garrett Wilson is more likely than EDGE Myles Garrett with pick number 8. Garrett would certainly change this defense, but the contract situation is a bit trickier and he’s older. Wilson is still under a rookie contract, apparently likes Bryce Young, and is much younger in NFL terms. I think they’d pull the trigger on Wilson with the added contractual flexibility and I wouldn’t look back if they did.
Now to highlight the top responses to the topic of the week: “What trade target would you like to see the Panthers go after?”
Jesse_Pinkman: If the Browns really end up trading Myles Garrett, I think the Panthers should go after David Njoku. He would be great for BY for years to come.
Njoku still has some juice at 28 years old, I wouldn’t hate going to acquire him. The Panthers will need some form of veteran presence with Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas hitting the free agency wire.
Vashti2112: Please no on Kupp! I like watching him, but CAR doesn’t need a 32-year-old, oft-injured receiver. We already have Thielen for that role.
DIESEL009: Go get Kupp to replace AT.
The duality of fandom. I do think if the Panthers are going to go the route of veteran wide receiver in that mold, they should just retain Thielen due to his chemistry with Bryce Young. I don’t think he’s injury prone since he went pretty solid in 2023 and had a single unfortunate injury in 2024. But, if the Panthers let him go or they mutually decide to let him go play for a Super Bowl, Kupp would fill that role nicely.
Mozzie11: It appears most GM’s devalue picks in future years. I am the opposite and say load up especially considering others see them of lesser value which to me makes them more attainable at a cheaper price. Curious other’s thoughts on this strategy.
I mean, theoretically yes, loading up on future draft capital makes sense. However, you’re dealing with a fan base that has endured losing for the last 7 seasons, with a QB on a rookie deal who just started to trend upward at the end of 2024. GMs devalue future picks because they don’t help them right now and those GMs may not even be around to spend them if things don’t go their way and they get fired. I understand the sentiment, but selling the farm for future draft capital would be a choice this season. I get where you’re coming from in a vacuum though.