6 big winners from the Carolina Panthers trade for Stephon Gilmore

Phil Snow – Carolina Panthers DC

The rich get richer.

Phil Snow has completed changed the approach implemented by the Carolina Panthers on defense this season. He has far more talent at his disposal this time around and outside of their loss at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, they’ve been one of the league’s top units.

Adding someone with the capabilities of Stephon Gilmore gives Snow an embarrassment of riches at the cornerback position. Something that will allow more blitzes and man coverage in crucial third-down situations.

Exactly what the doctor ordered.

This move made the whole NFL sit up and take notice. It’s a real statement of intent from the Panthers and if Snow puts the trade to good use, then a postseason berth is well within the team’s reach.

Carolina must wait until Week 7 to get Gilmore activated after making the move. If they’d have waited until he hit the free-agent market, he could have turned out this Sunday if the torn quad hs healed as expected.

Then again, they might not have him at all.

Snow has been incredibly creative through the first four weeks. Once he’s able to deploy Gilmore as a prolific man cover option, expect this to increase.