Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales looks at two variables when determining if a trade could be worthwhile for his football team:
Need and value.
“I understand that a lot more goes into it,” the second-year head coach told reporters Monday, a day before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. “But it’s gotta be fair value. And things have to match up with the need.”
Simple, sure. But revealing nonetheless. After all, the Panthers coach is not weighing heavily the fact that his team is 5-4 in the month of November — one win behind NFC South division leader Tamp Bay and very much in the hunt for a run to the playoffs.
“I don’t take record into consideration,” Canales said. “I’m trying to win this game. We’re trying to beat the New Orleans Saints this week. And that’s gotta be the focus and mentality for me as a coach. And then of course, (general manager Dan Morgan) has taken all the things, in terms of the future of the team, weighing that with right now.”
Below you’ll find what you should know about the Panthers’ needs and the flexibility they have in spending for those needs — the value they can bring a potential trading partner, in other words.
The NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Potential positions of need entering the trade deadline
The four positions of need for the Panthers heading into the trade deadline are defensively focused. See those below.
Some additional perspective: Canales told reporters Monday that some positions are often easier to “plug-and-play” in different schemes than others. That’s certainly something to consider when interested in trading for a player and the need they will be asked to fill.
“Certain positions are a little more forgiving,” Canales said. “Say running back, for example. Pretty much it’s directional calls in the run game. Protections can be different from team to team. But that’s a pretty seamless plug-and-play there.
“I think on the defensive side, when you talk about pass rushers, while they’re learning all the different calls, when you’re four-down situations, or whether you’re rushing five and got a player rushing an edge, that’s an easy transition as well. The conversations are more the positions that require a lot of communication. Those can be harder, unless they’re coming from a similar scheme.”
Onto the Panthers’ needs:
Outside linebacker: With Patrick Jones (back) done for the year, and rookie Princely Umanmielen (ankle) temporarily sidelined, the Panthers might want to enhance the depth behind starters, DJ Wonnum and Nic Scourton. Trevis Gipson and Thomas Incoom are the only other players at the position.
Inside linebacker: Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom have greatly improved since swapping starting roles in October. But they could still use some experienced insurance behind them, especially as the Panthers look to make the postseason. Claudin Cherelus is the only backup with defensive experience currently on the depth chart. Undrafted rookie Bam Martin-Scott is solely used on special teams.
Safety: Similar to outside and inside linebacker, it wouldn’t hurt to add some experienced depth to the safety unit. Tre’von Moehrig, Lathan Ransom and Nick Scott have formed a core trio, but an added body could make a difference down the stretch.
Offensive line: This group is badly banged up through nine games. While Jake Curhan was the latest depth lineman to step up on Sunday, Carolina could look to upgrade the group with another proven pass protector at tackle or guard.
Panthers’ salary cap space at 2025 NFL trade deadline
The Panthers enter this year’s NFL trade deadline with $16.78 million in cap space as of Monday, according to Over The Cap.
It’s worth noting that any remaining cap space, following the completion of the 2025 season, can be rolled into next year’s allotment, giving the team additional funds for 2026 spending.
Carolina’s 2026 NFL Draft pick inventory
The Panthers currently have seven draft picks for next offseason.
They traded away their 2026 seventh-round pick (conditional) in the Adam Thielen trade after training camp. But they also received Minnesota’s 2026 fifth-round pick in return.
First round: Original
Second round: Original
Third round: Original
Fourth round: Original
Fifth round (2): Original, Minnesota’s pick
Sixth round: Original
Panthers’ 2027 NFL Draft pick haul
The Thielen trade will also impact 2027’s draft haul. Carolina traded its 2027 fifth-round pick to Minnesota, but the Panthers will be receiving the Vikings’ 2027 fourth-round pick in return. They have seven 2027 draft picks heading into the 2025 trade deadline.
First round: Original
Second round: Original
Third round: Original
Fourth round (2): Original, Minnesota’s pick
Sixth round: Original
Seventh round: Original
GM Dan Morgan’s history of player trades
Morgan, since taking office in 2024, has made six player trades. He has yet to acquire a player straight up for a draft pick. The two trades in which he has acquired incoming players have been deals based around a player-for-player swaps.