Panthers Get Excellent Value for Departing Free Agent in Big Projected Trade

The Panthers' season is quickly going up in flames after a 1-3 start. Bryce Young lasted two games before being benched and now, veteran defensive leader Shaq Thompson will miss the rest of the season with injury.

That means it's time to look to the future. There are promising building blocks like rookies Xavier Legette and Jonathon Brooks, but Carolina needs as much draft capital as possible. Unfortunately, that makes breakout WR Diontae Johnson a likely trade candidate.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Johnson plans to leave the Panthers after this season, meaning GM Dan Morgan has a limited amount of time to recoup value. After star Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice suffered a major injury, Morgan now has an opportunity to strike and trade Johnson to Kansas City.

Panthers Send WR Diontae Johnson to Chiefs in Projected Trade

It might sting to get a 2025 third-rounder and a 2026 fourth-rounder for a player with 205 receiving yards and two TDs in the last two weeks, yet this is great value for a guy who doesn't plan to come back anyway.

The Titans' pick should be at the top of the third round, and this trade would also let Legette step into a featured role to accelerate his development.

Carolina needs to start preparing for 2025 and beyond. Legette and Brooks are the most important skill-position players, though garnering enough draft capital to acquire an actual franchise QB is the most important task at hand.

Kansas City traded third and fifth-round picks for Kadarius Toney two years ago, so they're willing to send draft capital in the middle of the season. Johnson is a far more talented and established receiver than Toney, making him a logical target from the Chiefs' perspective.

It's not an ideal trade considering Johnson was expected to be the focal point of the offense. The sooner the Panthers accept that this season is over though, the better of they'll be long-term.

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