4 dream trade targets for the Panthers before the 2021 deadline
By Dean Jones
Hayden Hurst – TE
- 2021 team – Atlanta Falcons
Trading away Dan Arnold to the Jacksonville Jaguars in order to acquire cornerback C.J. Henderson was a necessary evil for the Carolina Panthers. But they are still not getting any meaningful production from a pass-catching standpoint from Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble at the tight end spot.
Thomas has had some nice moments – although fleeting – but he is out of contract next spring and unlikely to be brought back by the Panthers based on his time with the franchise overall.
Tremble is a work in progress and could be a complete tight end somewhere down the line. The Notre Dame product is being utilized as more of a gadget player so far, but he’s proven capable of being a reliable option to call upon.
That being said, if the Panthers are intent on making the playoffs this season, then more might be needed. NFC South rivals aren’t normally known for trading with each other, but someone like Hayden Hurst fits the bill.
Hurst is the odd man out on the Atlanta Falcons following their decision to draft Kyle Pitts at No. 4 overall.
A former first-round selection himself, Hurst is no stranger to the area having played his college football at South Carolina and is catching an impressive 86.7 percent of targets thrown his way this season.