The Carolina Panthers are a team making the most of their depth as they were hit hard with injuries at the beginning of the season. Currently undefeated on the year, the Panthers are hoping to keep momentum moving in the right direction. However, while they may lack marquee depth on the offense, do not expect the Panthers to start changing up the roster with trades at the deadline.
The Panthers have been linked to a number of trade deals at the deadline, but more so as wishful thinking than actual confirmed interest. ESPN's Adam Schefter put up numerous hypothetical trades at the deadline that could have the Panthers makes moving for Calvin Johnson or Vernon Davis to help with the second half of the season. With Kelvin Benjamin gone for the season and other players struggling with consistency, the Panthers could make a marquee trade deal to help Cam Newton, but it is not expected.
According to David Newton of ESPN.com, the Panthers are not showing serious interest in trade deals at the deadline simply because they do not want to give up a lot for a player that might be a one-season rental. The price tag for Johnson will be high while Davis is a free agent in the summer. The Panthers do not believe giving up draft picks for something like that is ideal for the long-term outlook of the team.
With no additions coming, the Panthers will push depth for the rest of the year. Newton references the 2014 Seattle Seahawks who won the Super Bowl with a group of wide receivers that were less than marquee. The Panthers will start to give players like Kevin Norwood more responsibility. Norwood was acquired from the Seahawks. He has been inactive so far this year, but could begin to get more playing time in the coming weeks. Rookie Devin Funchess is also slowly improving on the year as he has 82 yards on the season.
The Panthers have been riding over-achieving games from players like Ted Ginn Jr and Corey Brown along with Jerricho Cotchery who have been holding down the receiving game for Newton. Mike Tolbert is also becoming a huge threat for the team with 92 yards rushing and another 40 yards receiving on the year. Carolina believes these players are enough to keep them winning games for the rest of the year. With the dynamic ability of Newton, wasting draft picks on another wide receiver addition is simply not worth it.
