Why the Panthers' Most Valuable Trade Asset is 'Not Available'

Carolina plans to hold on to its top pass rusher.

Over the last several weeks, there has been a lot of speculation about what the Carolina Panthers will do with outside linebacker Brian Burns. He's not under contract beyond this season and after months of negotiating, the two sides have not come close to reaching a new deal.

At 0-6, the Panthers have virtually no shot of making the playoffs this year, and depending on the moves made next offseason, the organization could still be a couple of years out from being in the NFC picture. Contenders around the league know that and could try to put together an intriguing offer that supplies the Panthers with top draft picks.

Carolina GM Scott Fitterer will always pick up the phone and listen because that's his job, but if Burns' name comes up in the conversation he may pretend to pay attention to what is being said. According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, teams around the league are being told Burns is "not available." However, Graziano did note, "Carolina could be active if the Panthers receive enough interest in corner Donte Jackson and safety Jeremy Chinn."

So why is it that the Panthers are not willing to move Burns? It's not exactly rocket science. Elite pass rushers don't grow on trees and if you don't have one it's tough to field a competitive defense. Carolina has dealt with injuries to significant parts of that defensive unit all season long and because of it, they haven't been as sharp. The hope is next offseason they can build more depth with body types and skill sets that actually fit Ejiro Evero's scheme so if injuries do pop up, they're better equipped to work through it.

It's hard to pull any positives out of an 0-6 start to the season, but there is talent on this team. They just need to get healthy and establish depth. Trading Burns only puts Carolina in a bigger hole. Yes, I'd bet Fitterer would love to have a first-round pick but is it worth moving Burns just to say you have a first-rounder? No. That pick is likely going to land somewhere between 20-32 and there is no drop-off in talent from that batch of picks to when you pick at the top of the second round.

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