The Carolina Panthers are carrying a two-game losing streak into Week 9, which represents the last stop before the annual NFL trade deadline. But are there any moves for them to make?
Most of the chatter around Carolina is centered on out-of-favor tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, and whether or not they can find a buyer for the 2024 fourth-round pick. ESPN had a different angle in their latest trade deadline column, though—as analyst Aaron Schatz says the Panthers should target New York Jets safety Andre Cisco in a trade.
Schatz writes:
New York can send a veteran free safety to the contending Panthers in exchange for youth at the position. This would also allow sixth-round rookie Zakee Wheatley more time to develop and improve the Panthers' pass defense,
which ranks 21st in DVOA against deep passes.
Cisco is a fine defender, but the Panthers have a lot more pressing needs than safety.
Tre'von Moehrig is a strong starter there, Nick Scott continues to hold up and Wheatley could be something special. More importantly, Carolina desperately needs help at cornerback—which is the only position they should be targeting in a trade if they're serious about contending this season.
So, what was Schatz referring to when he wrote "in exchange for youth" in regards to acquiring Cisco? Well, he adds that the Panthers could send 2025 fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom over in a safety-for-safety swap:
Ransom was in line to be a starting safety this season but has been passed in the lineup by rookie Zakee Wheatley. The 2025 fourth-round pick would add to a Jets defensive backfield that could lose veterans Dane Belton and Andre Cisco to free agency in 2027.
While Ransom has won fans over with his hard-hitting style, his playing time has taken a knock as a result of Wheatley's quick emergence. However, it's too early to give up on Ransom, and surrendering secondary depth is not something that Carolina should be entertaining at the moment.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers, Jets linked in intriguing safety-for-safety trade suggestion
