The Carolina Panthers have been named as a top landing spot for a Pro Bowl star defender.
The Carolina Panthers were able to bounce back following a tough Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Carolina took down the Atlanta Falcons fairly easily, looking like the team that many people expected coming into the season. It was a well-rounded effort for the Panthers, but this group understands that there is still a ton of work to be done.
The Panthers' defense looked much stronger against the Falcons in Week 2, and the team will try to continue that success. Carolina did make the playoffs a year ago, and the front office invested a lot of money in improving the defense.
As the year goes on, the Panthers may elect to try to improve the team, potentially via the trade market. And if Carolina wants to go down that route, one name that could make a lot of sense for them is star defensive tackle Daron Payne of the Washington Commanders.
Given where the Commanders are right now, starting the season 0-2, and quarterback Jayden Daniels going out with an injury, Payne could be a top name to move at the trade deadline. And NFL analyst Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report named the Panthers as a top landing spot if Payne does indeed get moved this year.
According to Knox, Payne could be worth at least a 2027 third-round pick, if not more. Over the last few years, Payne has been one of the more dominant defensive tackles in the NFL, wreaking havoc in the backfield consistently.
Last season, Payne played in 15 games for Washington, recording 46 total tackles and picking up three sacks. His presence is felt against opposing offenses, and this is where Payne does a lot of damage.
Teams tend to struggle to run the ball against him consistently, adding to his dominance on the field.
If the Panthers could add a talent like Payne, it could change the entire season for them. After playing in Washington for so many years, Payne may welcome the change of scenery, and the Panthers would offer him a chance to play for a contender again.
Payne will be a free agent at the end of the season, so a trade for him could be a little tricky for the Panthers. But if adding him to the mix could help this group go on a deeper playoff run, it could be well worth it.
Carolina has to take some risks to become a true Super Bowl contender, and Payne could be one of the better ones for this front office to make, if he were to become available this year.
