3 bombshell trades that could get Deshaun Watson to the Panthers

Carolina Panthers trade offer No. 2

Again, this might not be to everybody’s taste and it would certainly make things weaker on the defensive side of things, but the Carolina Panthers are going to make sacrifices in pursuit of acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans.

Now that Watson has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, Houston has the leverage once again. Obviously, the three first-round picks look like a guarantee and the floor for any team looking to secure Watson’s services, but the prospect of some defensive talent cannot be ruled out either.

The Panthers might include two stud defensive backs in Jaycee Horn and Jeremy Chinn, who are going to be stars. But considering both Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson could depart in free agency, adding the former No. 8 overall selection to the deal would leave Carolina dangerously short in the secondary.

Matt Rhule and other front office personnel have done a good job of bringing in some top defenders via the draft, so to blow it all up in the hope Watson waives his no-trade clause is a monumental call to make.

However, team owner David Tepper is adamant that Watson is the man that can get Carolina to the promised land and if he becomes the most influential figure in this decision, no player is seemingly off-limits.

This trade would not go down well given how beloved Chinn and Horn are with fans. But this is the nature of the business, unfortunately.