There's absolutely no doubt that the Carolina Panthers should appear as buyers at the NFL trade deadline . . . until you look at their salary cap situation.
With the final opportunity to make a deal now just a few days away, the reigning NFC South champions have less than $1 million of room. Unless the front office is able to maneuver around a contract or two, that amount of space might not be enough to pull off a difference-making move.
Head coach Dave Canales acknowledged as much this past Tuesday.
"Yeah, those are all the things to consider as far as what can be done," Canales replied when asked about their monetary restrictions. "So, again, until something gets real—my job is to evaluate the people that they put in front of me."
Well, the odds
of making a swap seem quite thin. But are the Panthers really out of luck?
Maybe not.
Here are six realistic targets Carolina may be able to aim for . . .
*Cap numbers via Spotrac
OL Andrew Wylie
Cap hit as of Week 10: $1.08 million
The Panthers have been hurting, literally, at both offensive tackle spots. They have yet to field left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and only got two games out of right tackle Taylor Moton before season-ending fibula and ankle injuries cut his return from blood clots short.
As a result, free-agent addition Rasheed Walker has been manning the blindside and 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling has been on the other—and neither have delivered great results. Walker, through Week 8, has allowed the most pressures amongst all left tackles while Freeling is struggling to stick on through knee and growing pains.
Wylie, who has played just 17 offensive snaps for the Washington Commanders this season, could take over at right tackle and allow Carolina to kick Freeling over to his more natural spot on the left.
G/C Jackson Powers-Johnson
Cap hit as of Week 10: $796,000
Walker isn't the only Panthers offensive lineman who's been beat far too many times. Center Luke Fornter and right guard Robert Hunt have also given up the most sacks at their respective positions.
If they're over Fortner and 2026 fifth-round pick Sam Hecht isn't ready, then Powers-Johnson could provide an alternative at center. At the very least, he would be able to provide some much-needed depth at guard—where, in addition to Hunt's struggles, Damien Lewis has been down with a knee injury.
EDGE A.J. Epenesa
Cap hit as of Week 10: $607,500
Lewis has been joined on the sidelines for the past three weeks by outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who's dealing with a nagging hamstring. But even with their $120 million man in the lineup, the Panthers defense has been unable to cook up the pressure.
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Epenesa could be a fit for new interim defensive coordinator Todd Wash—whether he's running a 3-4 or 4-3 front.
EDGE Joshua Uche
Cap hit as of Week 10: $607,500
If Wash is looking to keep his pass rushers standing up more often than not, then Uche is worth a look.
The seventh-year 'backer has been decent at applying the pressure in 2026, with a 67.8 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus. He was given an 84.3 mark last season.
CB Riq Woolen
Cap hit as of Week 10: $630,000
Starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson have been sitting on injured reserve since Week 4. Their backups aren't healthy either—as Akayleb Evans has also been shelved while rookie Will Lee III will be out this Sunday due to a hamstring injury.
Although Jackson may be nearing a return, how long can the Panthers roll with literal practice squad players starting in their secondary?
Woolen has the length general manager Dan Morgan looks for, the play style Wash wants and the starting experience this unit needs.
CB Nahshon Wright
Cap hit as of Week 10: $750,000
After earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2025, Wright cashed in on a one-year, $5.5 million pact with the New York Jets. But, in a mystery to many, he hasn't played a single defensive snap this season.
Wright, like Woolen, is a lengthy corner at 6-foot-4. And getting burn in Carolina, given the state of their cornerback room, would probably be much easier for the 28-year-old.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 6 realistic trade targets for the Panthers ahead of Tuesday's deadline
