The Carolina Panthers could use some fine-tuning this offseason after losing some of their core veteran players. The team finished with a 7-9 record last season after starting out 6-2. Some of the blame was directed towards Cam Newton and his injured shoulder, but the defense was the true problem.
In order to restock their roster during this offseason, the Panthers should utilize free agency, the NFL draft and the trade market. Here’s a list of five defensive players that could be potentially be acquired through a trade.
CB Patrick Peterson
When it comes to elite NFL cornerbacks, Patrick Peterson can never be taken out of the conversation. He is a 28-year-old veteran that has played and started every single game in his pro career. Peterson hasn’t missed a Pro Bowl either, with eight nods in eight seasons. He has earned first-team All-Pro honors three times, aided by blazing speed that is uncommon for a player that is 6-foot-1.
If the Panthers got their hands on Peterson, they would have a veteran to mentor the second-year cornerback Donte Jackson and an upgrade on the other side over James Bradberry. Peterson isn’t the same player that he was back in 2012, but he’s still elite and could elevate Carolina’s entire secondary.
OLB Jamie Collins
Jamie Collins is as versatile as linebackers come, but he needs the right people around him. Fortunately for the Panthers, Collins could come into a situation where he would be playing alongside Luke Kuechly and Shaq Thompson.
Collins recorded 104 tackles, four sacks and a career-high 13 tackles for loss. He is a quick linebacker who is sharp in coverage and can lay wood when needed. The Panthers would be much better equipped to combat pass-heavy running back attacks with the combination of Kuechly and Collins because of their speed and coverage skills.
FS T.J. McDonald
The Panthers currently have Eric Reid and Mike Adams at the safety position, but both are becoming free agents. If one or both leave, they’ll need more help.
T.J. McDonald has played six years in the NFL and is coming off of his best season so far with the Dolphins. He is a safety with a potent combination of vision and tackling power. McDonald finished last season off with 86 tackles, five passes defended and a career-high three interceptions.
OLB Derek Rivers
Derek Rivers has loads of potential, despite not seeing much playing time with the Patriots. Injuries have been an issue with him and it has led to only six games played in a two-year span.
Before that, he played four seasons at Youngstown State University, becoming the school’s all-time leader in sacks and No. 5 all-time in FCS history. He was a two-time All American and was ranked No. 4 in tackles for a loss in his school’s history. He is a pass rushing machine that has yet to really show his talent to the NFL world. Rivers would get a chance at more playing time with the Panthers, who are in dire need of pass rushers after ranking No. 27 in sacks during the 2018 season.
FS Karl Joseph
Carolina’s secondary needs a lot of work. Adams is 37-years-old and is now struggling with the young and speedy wide receivers that the NFL has to offer. Karl Joseph would be a cheaper, younger option for the Panthers with a higher ceiling.
Joseph was dealing with a groin injury last season that led to him missing three games. However, he recovered and finished out the season with 48 tackles, two passes deflected and an interception. Jon Gruden has been shipping out his players left and right, which means that Carolina could likely add Joseph to the roster without losing very much on their end.
