Mock Trade: Panthers Land Missing Piece on Defense

Carolina finally gets Brian Burns some help in recent mock trade.

The Carolina Panthers have made a lot of moves this offseason but they're not done yet...we assume. GM Scott Fitterer rattled off a list of positions that he and the front office would still like to address following the 2023 NFL Draft, starting with the obvious.

"You never have enough pass rushers. I always look pass rusher first," Fitterer said. "I think tackle, having a swing tackle adding depth there. And then maybe a corner. We'll get someone that can play outside and play nickel. Those are kind of the main spots. But I really feel good about where the roster's at but we'll always keep an eye open for someone that can help us."

Carolina re-signed Cam Erving to be their swing tackle, so that still leaves corner and most importantly, another pass rusher.

Fortunately for Fitterer, there's a three-time Pro Bowler available for trade, which is rare considering the premium teams place on pass rushers. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Minnesota Vikings are "fielding trade calls" for Danielle Hunter after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal.

Now normally, I would suggest the Panthers stay away from making these "big" trades but this is one I actually think they should go after. Brian Burns has emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the NFL with essentially no help on the other side with the exception of the one year he played with Haason Reddick. Having two elite pass rushers can help take Carolina from being a borderline contender to a true threat in the NFC. 

Hunter has one year remaining on his deal, so the Panthers will have to commit to him long-term but I don't see that being an issue for a guy who has totaled 71 sacks in his career and is only 28.

So what could a trade look like between Carolina and Minnesota? Here's what I came up with. 

I don't see Minnesota acquiring a first-round pick for Hunter but I also think two picks is probably enough. Assuming multiple teams get involved, I could see Fitterer throwing a 6th rounder in there even though it doesn't hold a ton of value. I nearly included QB Matt Corral in place of the sixth but felt the Vikings would see the draft pick as more useful.

Analysis from Inside the Vikings publisher, Will Ragatz, on my projected trade:

"Honestly, that looks pretty fair to me. I've been thinking that a 2nd and some change is probably around the peak of what they'd get, and Carolina's second will presumably be pretty early in that round."

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