4 players the Carolina Panthers could trade to NY Jets for draft picks

Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB

• Tag and trade

This would be a little outside the box, obviously. But there’s just no telling how much better the New York Jets would be with Donte Jackson as one of their primary coverage men on the outside.

The Carolina Panthers could have a hard time keeping Jackson around given how money is tight right now. Much will obviously depend on how much the player’s representatives want in free agency, but there is also the prospect of Stephon Gilmore needing to be paid at the same time that could take priority after he made a strong impression following his trade from the New England Patriots.

If Jackson becomes a player of interest for the Jets, then they’d face some stern competition for his services if he’s allowed to hit the free-agent market. However, if the Panthers were to tag and trade the former second-round pick to New York, it eliminates every other team from the equation.

Tagging and trading is seldom seen in the NFL. According to Over the Cap, Jackson would make around $17.29 million on the tag – although a move to the Jets could see them extend the LSU product almost immediately after the trade was confirmed.

This would at least ensure Carolina got some notable draft capital back in return for a player who could leave for nothing. But this sort of deal needs signing off way before the Panthers place Jackson under the tag or they could be on the hook for his 2022 salary as a result.