The Carolina Panthers entered the 2025 NFL offseason looking to improve their defense, which ranked among the league's worst units in 2024. Although there was room for improvement across the board, the defensive line needed the most love after the Panthers finished dead last regarding pass rushing (51.9) and run defense (37.5) grades on Pro Football Focus.
Even though the offseason is young, the Panthers have already made some D-line-related moves, signing defensive tackles Bobby Brown and Tershawn Wharton to three-year contracts. The Panthers also signed outside linebacker Patrick Jones II to a two-year deal.
Having said that, Wharton and Jones II are only two players who brings pass-rushing upside, leaving Carolina in a position to add another EDGE presence.
Fortunately, the perfect name to help the situation may have just become available.
Panthers Must Target Jaguars DE Travon Walker Amid Trade Rumors
One player who the Panthers might want to monitor is Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Travon Walker. Although the former Georgia Bulldog has only spent three seasons in the NFL, Walter Football's Charlie Campbell is reporting that the Jaguars could be convinced to trade the former 2022 first-overall pick.
"Sources with the Jaguars say they would listen and consider offers for their young defensive lineman, Campbell wrote over the weekend. The Jaguars would have to listen to offers and consider a trade package if it brought them a package of early-round picks."
Jaguars listening to Travon Walker trade offers https://t.co/OemK2F6W6h
— WalterFootball (@walterfootball) March 16, 2025
Just because the Jaguars might consider a trade doesn't mean that one is on the horizon. One of Campbell's sources hinted that "Walker is probably going to stay a Jaguar in the long term," however, one can never say never in the NFL world.
A lack of dominance is one reason why the Jaguars could be open to a potential Walker trade. The Thomaston, GA native has yet to earn any individual accolade as a professional player, leaving Jacksonville feeling somewhat disappointed that Walker hasn't made an impact similar to the likes of Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Micah Parsons with their respective teams.
Still, that doesn't mean the Panthers shouldn't be interested in a trade. After all, Walker has recorded 24 sacks across the last three seasons and is coming off a 10.5-sack performance, which is five more than A'Shawn Robinson and Jadeveon Clowney, who led Carolina with 5.5 in 2024.
On top of his personal-best sack total, Walker also set new career highs last season when it came to solo tackles (31) and forced fumbles (2). He finished the year as PFF's No. 47-graded exterior defender in terms of overall defense (68.2), while also finishing No. 32 for run defense (69.2) and No. 57 for pass rushing (65.1).
If the Jaguars are open to a trade, the Panthers certainly have the draft capital to get a deal done. Not only does general manager Dan Morgan have three top-75 picks for April (including No. 8), but he also has every one of the team's draft selections from 2026 through 2028, giving him enough ammunition to entice Jacksonville.
Continuing to improve with each passing season, Walker could finally reach his potential with an up-and-coming Carolina team. With that in mind, it might be wise for the Panthers to try working out a deal sooner rather than later to avoid another team potentially stealing the Jaguars' attention.