3 possible Carolina Panthers trade targets from the New York Jets
By Dean Jones
Avery Williamson – LB
Avery Williamson might have plenty to prove in 2020 after coming off a serious injury. But if the player gets anything back to his old self, he is going to be a standout contributor next season.
This is an area of the field that poses some concern for the Carolina Panthers. They lost perennial All-Pro Luke Kuechly to a shock retirement this offseason. And it remains to be seen whether Tahir Whitehead can be anything more than a plug and play short-term starter.
Williamson could be someone that bolsters the Panthers considerably. But how he recovers from a torn ACL is going to be something to monitor closely. The former fifth-round pick enjoyed a career year in 2018, but a devastating setback forced him to miss the entirety of the previous campaign.
He recorded 120 combined tackles, 80 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, three sacks, two forced fumbles, six pass deflections, and a 72.8 grade from Pro Football Focus the last time he was on the field for a prolonged period. Williamson is heading into the final year of his deal. But if Carolina decides that they want to avoid a bidding war for the linebacker in free agency, then making the Jets a trade offer is probably the smart way to go.