4 more trades the Carolina Panthers should consider before 2022 season

Carolina Panthers could target Krys Barnes

• Linebacker | Green Bay Packers

Everyone associated with the Carolina Panthers will be waiting to see what unfolds following Damien Wilson’s offseason arrest. Something that could leave their plans at middle linebacker in complete disarray heading into the 2022 season.

This position has been a constant source of frustration since Luke Kuechly retired due to health concerns. Even if Wilson does stick around, there’s just no telling for sure whether he’ll work out despite going over 100 tackles for the first time in his career last time out.

If someone like Krys Barnes was made available for trade, then the Panthers should jump at the chance. Although he was once a starter for the Green Bay Packers along their second-level interior, the re-signing of De’Vondre Campbell taking Quay Walker during the 2022 NFL Draft means he might be on the outside looking in.

Barnes does everything well and would be an upgrade on anything Carolina has right now. He can be a force against the run, generate pressure when required, and also hold his own in coverage after emerging from undrafted obscurity into a starting role.

If Campbell and Walker surge ahead on Green Bay’s depth chart during camp, then the Packers could look to get something in return. From the Panthers’ standpoint, the compensation wouldn’t be significant in this scenario, one suspects.