The Carolina Panthers sit at 2-2 entering their Week Five bye, and as fans ride the Week Four high after a 32-26 defeat of the Detroit Lions, names are starting to circulate in the NFL trade market. Teams with veterans on one-year deals, players on expiring contracts, and young talent that hasn't yet panned out could all move as teams begin to understand their roster and build for the meat of the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers already moved Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys, a deal that sent a second-rounder and sixth-rounder back to the Steel City. The Baltimore Ravens have missed having Tyler Linderbaum at center, so they traded for Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens. It is never too early to trade, and here are three names the Panthers should target soon.
Josh Sweat, Edge, Cardinals
Josh Sweat signed a 72-million-dollar, three-year deal in 2025 to reunite with his former defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, in Arizona. The former Super Bowl champion pass-rusher had a career-high 12 sacks; the Cardinals went 3-14, and then Gannon was fired. Sweat is a flexible, fast edge rusher with elite pursuit skills. The former Florida State Seminole was a key part of an Eagles pass rush that lifted the Lombardi Trophy two seasons ago and has only this year and next left on his deal. This move would give Carolina a true threat across from Jalean Phillips, whom the team signed to a four-year deal this past offseason. It would be expensive, most likely needing at least a day-two pick, but Sweat’s experience and production would make an immediate impact for the Panthers’ front seven.
Dawand Jones, OT, Browns
Dawand Jones is currently a backup, but four of the six Carolina linemen who took a snap in Week Four were, too. If the Panthers are prioritizing depth and preparing for potential injury, snagging Jones from a team with two long-term tackles in the Browns would be a great idea. At six-foot-eight and 374 pounds, the former Ohio State Buckeye is as imposing as it gets at tackle. He excels in the run game, where his big frame can finish blocks and get downhill. Stone Forsythe actually looked pretty good on Sunday, but if first-round pick Monroe Freeling’s injury is injured-reserve-worthy, Jones could slot in at right tackle if needed.
Myles Price, PR/KR, Vikings
The Panthers start to roll once they are in good field position, so they should look to bring in a return man who can set them up there. Myles Price currently leads the league in combined kickoff and punt return yardage. The Vikings signed Price as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana two years ago. He made the team as a gunner, but his speed and hands were evident throughout training camp and practice, so he moved to the return role. One could argue that Trevor Etienne’e playoff fumble led to last year’s loss against the Rams, so finally piecing together a spot that has been rearranged a plethora of times would be a great idea.
