Panthers Wide Receiver Trade Targets
Two reports from prominent NFL insiders have Panthers fans abuzz.
Both Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report have reported over the last few days that the Carolina Panthers are actively in search of a number-one wide receiver. Schultz specifically said that Carolina is "all-in" on Bryce Young, and the team is aware that they need to deliver help for their rookie quarterback. While the issues the 0-4 Panthers face run significantly deeper than talent at wide receiver, it is a clear weakness that the team needs to rectify.
We've seen many examples this decade of what getting an elite wide receiver can do for a quarterback.
Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow's mind meld delivered a Super Bowl appearance to Cincinnati.
Stefon Diggs' prowess has paired perfectly with Josh Allen's ridiculous talent to turn the quarterback into a perennial MVP candidate and make Buffalo into a consistent contender.
AJ Brown helped Jalen Hurts grow from an athletic freak with question marks about his passing game to an MVP and Super Bowl runner-up in 2022.
The sky is the limit for Bryce Young if he gets his guy.
Let's dive into a couple of options that Carolina could be after.
Tee Higgins - Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins has been a rumored trade target in Carolina for quite some time. The former Clemson Tiger was drafted by the Bengals in 2020, and the third-year wideout can ball. He has back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving yard seasons and has caught 74 passes from Joe Burrow in both seasons.
While Higgins isn't an elite separator, he possesses elite strength and ball skills. He makes his money on contested catches, and his strong hands at the catch point turn 50/50 balls to 60/40 when they're thrown his way.
Throwing Higgins into the Panthers' offense as constructed won't fix all of their ailments, but his physical presence will give Carolina a downfield element that they sorely lack. Putting Higgins' large, physical frame on one side, DJ Chark's speed on another, and Adam Thielen wreaking havoc against zoned-up linebackers in the middle of the field is a recipe for success.
Davante Adams - Las Vegas Raiders
Adams is older and in the back half of his prime, but the perennial All-Pro can still ball. His 13-catch, 145-yard, and two-touchdown game against Pittsburgh on Sunday Night football just two weeks ago is a testament to Adams's talent. Adams is aging like fine wine. I have no idea if the Raiders would be willing to trade the receiver that they recently swapped a first and second-round pick for, but if Adams becomes impatient with the status of Las Vegas, he'd fit in well with Carolina.
In fact, he thought he would be a Carolina Panthers on draft night in 2014.
If you want an all-around receiver who can win on any inch of grass in any way possible, Adams is your man. He is lauded for his releases off the line of scrimmage and his ability to separate from defensive backs within milliseconds of the snap. Check this out.
Nasty.
Adams is a wide receiver one in every sense of the word. I believe Higgins to be the more likely candidate, but Adams is without a doubt the best player Carolina could add to this receiving core.
Jerry Jeudy - Denver Broncos
The jury is still out on Jeudy, but he may be judged differently with a change of scenery. Denver has shown a willingness to trade the former first-round pick as he was in trade talks all summer. Jeudy has had a poor start to the season following a hamstring injury in training camp, but he still has flashes of talent that are worth gambling on.
In 2021, Jeudy led all wide receivers in average yards of separation. He has jitterbug-like quickness and can get open in a phone booth. He has yet to catch passes from an elite quarterback as the Russell Wilson experiment in Denver hasn't born fruit.
Coming out of Alabama, Jeudy was tabbed as the most talented receiver in the draft class (even though he was drafted after Henry Ruggs), and at 24 years old, he could still develop into the elite wide receiver that draftniks pegged him to be.
However, if Carolina is in the market for a "true number one" wide out, Jeudy doesn't qualify quite yet. If they believe the former Crimson Tide can develop into that, a team that is light on future draft assets may gamble on someone with less pedigree, but a high ceiling.
While those are the main three options, I believe there are a few other pass catchers Carolina may target. Diontae Johnson of the Steelers and Jameson Williams of the Lions both come to mind when thinking of guys who could step in and lead a team in targets but may come cheaper than the Higgins and Adams of the world.
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