4 trade deadline targets to boost Carolina Panthers pass-rush

Ryan Anderson – EDGE (Washington Football Team)

Another name that might be available ahead of the deadline is Ryan Anderson. Things haven’t really gone according to plan for the edge rusher under former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera this season and a change of scenery might be just what the player needs to rejuvenate his career.

There is no denying the athletic traits Anderson brings to the table. He possesses a nice blend of size and speed that could give opposing protection schemes problems. And he can also operate either as a defensive end or an outside linebacker – something that the Panthers sought heavily in their recruits before competitive action got underway.

Anderson has played just 28 percent of Washington’s defensive snaps this season, which is a surprise. The presence of No. 2 overall selection Chase Young hasn’t exactly done him any favors and there would be less in the way of quality in somewhere like Carolina that would be an enticing proposition for the former Alabama product.

This is another move that would have Shaq Thompson looking nervously over his shoulder. That might be worth a mid-round pick alone and bringing someone with a strong work ethic such as Anderson wouldn’t do any harm at all.