Carolina Panthers' Being Linked to Defensive Backs Ahead of Deadline

The Carolina Panthers couldn't bounce back in Week 8, losing to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. Despite a late rally, the Panthers couldn't tie the game as the offense and defense struggled throughout.

But thanks to the Atlanta Falcons' 16-0 loss in Tampa Bay, the Panthers are still in first place. However, things are tightening up. While Carolina is in first place, it's only by a half game. Both Tampa Bay and Atlanta are 3-5, with the Panthers sitting at 3-4. 

It's early but the chances of one of these teams winning an NFC Wild Card spot is very unlikely, so it's division championship or bust. So should the Panthers be buyers?

With a chance to go win the division and get back to the playoffs, it would make sense for them to make some additions. But as we wrote about last week, they aren't expected to be big spenders.  With the cap situation the Panthers are in, they could look to make some smaller moves. 

And one analyst believes they will be in the market for some help in the secondary. 

CBS Sports' Josh Edwards wrote on the Panthers' plans at the trade deadline and suggests they should look at some help for the secondary. He points to injuries hitting them hard in that area of the defense, with Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson and Akayleb Evans all on injured reserve. While they are expected to come back at some point, the Panthers shouldn't waste any time. 

The trade deadline is next week, and making moves now could help them until they are ready to get key players back. But who should they target? Edwards listed off a few players, including Riq Woolen, Donte Jackson, Alontae Taylor, Amik Robertson and Nahshon Wright. 

Carolina is missing both Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn, their top two boundry corners. So adding there for now makes sense. And you can never have enough depth, so even if they return soon, the Panthers will have some options. 

The most intriguing is Woolen who is in Philadelphia and was on a very good Seattle defense too. As for Wright, he had a huge year last season in Chicago but has struggled so far with the New York Jets. 

It will be interesting to see what the Panthers opt to do as the trade deadline looms. 

The Panthers return to action next Sunday as they host the Denver Broncos at Bank of America Stadium.