The Carolina Panthers‘ 2026 season is at a crossroads.
The team is coming off a bad loss and dealing with multiple serious injuries to key players. Will the team fold up and collapse, or will this adversity make them stronger? Things might not look great right now, but the NFC South is still very winnable.
However, the Panther do have some intriguing trade chips, particularly if the season goes sideways. Today, let’s take a look at three players the Panthers could shop ahead of November’s trade deadline.
WR Xavier Legette
I recently made the case AGAINST trading Xavier Legette, but I do think there’s a scenario where it makes sense. If the Panthers can get another player for Legette (like a swing tackle or cornerback), then I’d consider it.
Also, if Jalen Coker gets and stays healthy, the Panthers have their top two targets. I’m not in favor of trading Legette just to trade him, but if you can get something of value, then sure. Legette has shown some promise this season, but it’s apparent at this point that he won’t ever be the WR1 in Carolina.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a contender made a move for Legette, thinking he has untapped potential.
Ja’Tavion Sanders
Ja’Tavion Sanders, at one point, was expected to take over the tight end room in Carolina. Now, Sanders can’t even get on the field. The former mid-round pick is a healthy scratch every week now.
Darren Waller is the team’s red zone threat, and Mitchell Evans, Tommy Tremble, and Feleipe Franks all offer more than Sanders. What’s the point of keeping five tight ends all season, especially if one is a scratch every week? Sanders probably has no value, but there are enough tight end-needy teams that someone may take a flier.
Bobby Brown III
Bobby Brown III definitely has the most trade value of the players mentioned. Brown has been pretty much the only positive on the Panthers’ defensive line this season. The veteran has an elite 80.2 PFF grade, which ranks 9th out of 126 qualified defensive linemen.
Brown has typically been a solid run stuffer, but he’s actually been better as a pass rusher this year. Brown already has five pressures on the season, so he could be very valuable to a contender.
The Panthers have Lee Hunter and Aaron Hall, so they could be fine moving on from a veteran like Brown.
