Panthers Identified as Potential Trade Destination for 2-Time Super Bowl Champion Cornerback
With the 2025 NFL Draft less than a month away, the Carolina Panthers could be looking to bolster their secondary by adding an experienced postseason performer.
Recently, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus highlighted each NFL team’s top trade asset ahead of the upcoming draft. For the Kansas City Chiefs, cornerback Jaylen Watson was named as a key trade candidate. The 2022 seventh-round pick has more postseason interceptions (2) than regular-season picks (1).
“The Chiefs are known for keeping their core starters intact, particularly on defense, but this offseason has seen some changes, including the signing of Kristian Fulton, which could leave Watson’s future uncertain,” Locker noted. “Watson’s 2024 season was limited by a broken leg, but he still posted a solid 71.6 PFF coverage grade. With other young cornerbacks like Chamarri Conner, Joshua Williams, and Nazeeh Johnson, all of whom are set to be 2026 free agents, Watson may be the most valuable trade piece.”
Considering this, David Latham of Last Word on Sports mentioned three teams as potential landing spots for Watson. Along with the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, the Carolina Panthers were also named as a viable destination.
“The Panthers have laid the groundwork for their offensive rebuild, but the defense still needs some attention,” Latham wrote. “While the defensive line is the bigger concern, the secondary could use an additional playmaker. With cornerback Jaycee Horn’s big extension and Mike Jackson returning, they still couldn’t prevent the Panthers from having the NFL’s worst defense last year. Jaylen Watson might not solve all of Carolina’s defensive issues, but a trade would give them three dependable starters in the secondary.”
If Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan does pursue Watson, the team would acquire a player with significant postseason experience, having appeared in 10 playoff games and started in Super Bowls LVII and LVIX. Watson has also recorded three takeaways in those 10 playoff contests. Meanwhile, the Panthers finished 23rd in the league for passing yards allowed in 2024 and gave up an NFL-high 35 passing touchdowns.
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