4 bombshell trades the Panthers could make before 2020 deadline

Darius Leonard – LB

Losing linebacker Luke Kuechly was a blow that is going to take some time to get over for the Carolina Panthers. The five-time All-Pro was the beating heart of their defense and his departure has been felt in no uncertain terms after the player decided to call it a day after eight seasons.

Tahir Whitehead hasn’t exactly been an adequate replacement. The former Las Vegas Raider is skating on thin ice after a dismal start to the campaign and he has emerged as a real weak link on a defense that has made some encouraging strides in recent weeks.

This is a problem that Carolina needs to solve at the earliest possible opportunity. A bombshell trade would instantly bring about more confidence and if they could somehow acquire Darius Leonard from the Indianapolis Colts, it would send shockwaves through the NFL.

Leonard might have had his problems with injuries during his time in the NFL, there is no denying his dominance when firing on all cylinders. The Colts would be unlikely to give up on the All-Pro at this juncture, but with a contract extension not too far away, it remains to be seen whether they will fork out the big bucks for someone with a history of concussions and nagging knocks that have hampered his progress of late.

The player is no stranger to the region having played his college football at South Carolina State, which is another intriguing element to this potential deal that shouldn’t be overlooked. It would undoubtedly take a king’s ransom for Indianapolis to even consider dealing Leonard, but the thought of him at the second level for the Panthers is a salivating one.