The Carolina Panthers are in a precarious position right now. They've shown signs of improvement over the last fortnight under head coach Dave Canales. However, this is a fluid situation that could change quickly if the team cannot pick up some positive results.
Dan Morgan has a long-term plan in place within an aligned vision alongside Canales and Brandt Tilis. The general manager preached patience before the campaign, hinting that things might get worse before they get better. If the Panthers cannot galvanize themselves with some winnable games upcoming on the schedule, those in power might look to bolster their draft assets before another critical offseason in 2025.
Carolina has nine picks in next year's draft right now. Morgan wants to build through the college selection process and supplement any remaining needs in free agency. The Panthers only have a select few who could be considered foundational pieces. They are also working with a football-first mindset with no sentiment attached under the new regime.
That means nothing can be ruled out. With this in mind, here are five Panthers players who could be traded if their poor run of form continues before the 2024 deadline.
Carolina Panthers players who could be traded if poor 2024 results continue
Adam Thielen - Carolina Panthers WR
The Carolina Panthers have a surplus at the wide receiver position for a struggling team. If poor results continue despite some signs of life over the last two weeks, general manager Dan Morgan might look to bolster his draft capital by removing one or two from the equation.
That seems like a drastic measure, but this was always a long-term project despite Morgan calling it a retool before the campaign. Adam Thielen would be high on the list of disposable assets despite still having the best hands on the team.
One only had to look at the crucial drops from Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo in Week 4 to see how important Thielen's presence is in the passing game. He's a slick route runner with the dependability needed to keep the chains moving. Unfortunately, he's got another three weeks out at least with a torn hamstring.
If the Panthers' losing slump continues during this time and Thielen gets activated from injured reserve, Morgan would be foolish not to start taking calls for the wideout given the team's current predicament. Whether there'll be sufficient interest with one year remaining on his deal is another matter.
Miles Sanders - Carolina Panthers RB
Chuba Hubbard is performing exceptionally well to begin the campaign. When the Panthers give him the correct involvement, the running back is producing the high-caliber numbers required. Miles Sanders is playing a secondary role, but he's flashed examples of improvement after an underwhelming first campaign with the franchise.
This might increase Sanders' trade value before the deadline. Whether the Panthers are receptive to offers is almost entirely dependent on second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks' availability at the midway stage of 2024.
Brooks isn't far from being activated from injured reserve according to head coach Dave Canales. The Panthers will take their time with the No. 46 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft after so long out with a torn ACL. Once he's medically cleared to participate, it won't take much longer for Sanders' involvement to diminish.
The former second-round pick out of Penn State has been the subject of intense trade speculation in recent months without anything concrete emerging. Teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys were reportedly keen, which is something Sanders might relish if someone is willing to take on the remainder of his contract.
Carolina would be eating some dead money, but Dan Morgan did plenty of that this offseason by disposing of veterans he felt weren't worth the financial commitment.
Jadeveon Clowney - Carolina Panthers OLB
The Carolina Panthers pulled off a coup when Jadeveon Clowney agreed to join the ranks in free agency. His desire to play closer to home and the added incentive of a two-year deal was enough for the veteran edge rusher to commit his future to the organization. But if the losing run continues before the trade deadline, a situation could emerge where those in power start listening to offers for almost any aging player.
That sounds harsh, but it's about time general manager Dan Morgan ran the Panthers with a business-first mindset. Losing Clowney would further diminish the tam's edge-rushing options. But in all honesty, the former South Carolina standout isn't exactly setting the world alight as he struggles to overcome being the focus of opposing protection schemes.
With D.J. Wonnum still working his way back from a torn quad, Clowney's presence and leadership are vital. If the campaign starts spiraling out of control and Morgan is forced to begin planning for the offseason ahead of time, it's a different story.
Finding someone willing to pick up Clowney's $14 million cap number in 2025 represents a stumbling block in this scenario. Only $2 million of that is guaranteed, so there are always ways to work around that if sufficient interest comes along.
Diontae Johnson - Carolina Panthers WR
Diontae Johnson has come to life over the last fortnight. Dave Canales' decision to bench quarterback Bryce Young and install Andy Dalton into the starting lineup came with immediate offensive improvements. The veteran wide receiver benefitted more than anybody, gaining 205 receiving yards and two touchdowns from 15 receptions along the way.
Johnson looks like an important piece of the puzzle. The wideout was acquired via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, which looks like a decent piece of business from general manager Dan Morgan. However, there are growing rumors about the prospect of trading the former third-round pick to a team with a better chance of contending before the deadline.
Adam Schefter of ESPN and Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated both named Johnson as a potential trade candidate if the Carolina Panthers cannot turn things around. The former even went as far as to say that the Toledo product would leave in free agency whether he gets shipped off beforehand or not.
Albert Breer just mentioned Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson as possible options for the Chiefs in a trade live on Instagram 👀
— Panthers On Tap (@PanthersOnTap) October 1, 2024
Adam Schefter also made similar comments earlier today on Pat McAfee show.
That's an interesting revelation that Morgan should treat with urgency. Either the Panthers extend him before the campaign concludes, or those in power might look to get something back in return. It's hard to say with any certainty right now.
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
Bryce Young remains a good teammate and is doing whatever is required behind the scenes to help. This isn't from a starting role anymore after his bombshell benching after just two weeks, but it's hard to ignore the notable progress made by the offense since Dave Canales sent him to the fringes.
Young looked devoid of confidence or inspiration. He was a shell of the signal-caller who took college football by storm at Alabama - something that made him the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft for good measure. For Canales to give up on him so early into his tenure spoke volumes. Andy Dalton's improved efficiency under center means it'll be a long time before the Heisman Trophy winner gets another shot.
Speculation soared about the possibility of Carolina cutting its losses with Young and trading him to the highest bidder. That hasn't materialized as yet. Canales wants to see if he can be salvaged before Dan Morgan takes more drastic action. But if the Panthers decide to stockpile resources for more offseason flexibility in 2025, a move becomes likelier.
There are always teams around the league willing to take on reclamation projects who were drafted high but quickly became a product of their environment. That could be the case with Young when push comes to shove.