Carolina Panthers not ruling out a possible trade for Deshaun Watson

After trading for Sam Darnold, the Carolina Panthers reportedly are in the market for Deshaun Watson.

In what may be the surprise suitor to finally pull a possible trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, Mike Florio has reported that the Carolina Panthers are “quietly keeping an eye” on Watson.

While the pending legal troubles (22 civil suits, 10 criminal complaints) may make this the most controversial and complicated trade (in terms of legal issues) that the NFL has ever seen. As of right now, the Texans have to keep their ears open to all offers. It’s not often you get a king’s ransom for a player in his prime, and this could have a Herschell Walker/Tony Dorsett trade effect on the Texans.

It’s been a firesale ever since the divisional-round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, and after losing J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in the last two seasons, it would be great to trade Watson. Once again, the legal cases are what complicates this.

What would the Panthers send over to get Deshaun Watson?

With the slew of veterans that general manager Nick Caserio added in his first offseason, it could be anyone’s guess as to which holes Caserio would want to fill in this trade. The running back depth chart is a 2015 “who’s who” of David Johnson and Mark Ingram II and more.

The center position is not that strong either, as ex-Cardinals center Cole Toner isn’t the most ideal guy at the center position. Another way Caserio could help this team immediately is by acquiring pass rush talent. If we know anything about Matt Rhule since he’s come into the league it’s that he has a Jon Gruden “Spider 2-y Banana” obsession with defense.

Another way is getting back high draft capital. I’m talking about multiple first-round picks or even a couple of second-rounders. The Texans should pick up the phone if the Panthers call when it comes to this possible trade offer.