As the Carolina Panthers continue to prepare for the upcoming free agency period, general manager Dan Morgan and the rest of the front office will look to build off the franchise’s recent success from last season.

For the first time since 2017, the Panthers were able to reach the NFL playoffs, and despite a heartbreaking loss in the NFC Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Rams, the organization has some hope heading into the 2026 season. Carolina possesses multiple young, key pieces on both sides of the ball, including 2026 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton.

However, in order to truly take the franchise to the next level, Morgan must take some swings this offseason to fill voids on both the offensive and defensive side.

On offense, the Panthers could use a veteran wide receiver who could complement both McMillan and 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker. Luckily for the front office, there is one name that could potentially be the missing piece in Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle.

Waddle, a former standout wide receiver from Alabama, was originally a first-round pick by the Dolphins in the 2021 NFL Draft. As a rookie, the speedy pass catcher quickly emerged as a top playmaker in the league, recording 1,015 receiving yards and six touchdowns on a career-high 104 receptions. His stellar first season paved the way to another huge season in 2022, where he finished with 1,356 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Unfortunately for Waddle, the combination of injuries and the addition of star wideout Tyreek Hill would eventually lead to a slight decrease in his stats, as he failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark the last two seasons. Still, the dynamic playmaker had a key role on offense throughout the Hill era, tallying 2,668 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Now, with the Dolphins looking to rebuild their roster for the 2026 season, Waddle has quickly become a prime trade candidate this offseason.

Waddle signed a massive extension that keeps him under contract until 2028, so any team that trades for him will lock him up for the foreseeable future. This will likely increase his trade value, but there is a way that Morgan could pursue the talented wide receiver. Carolina has its second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which could be used in a trade package.

However, while Waddle’s speed could open up head coach Dave Canales’ offense next season, the Panthers are better off keeping their second-round pick this year. Carolina’s main priority this offseason is to find another pass rusher alongside Scourton, and depending on who is selected in round one, the team could use pick No. 51 to address the position.