Panthers have a logical trade chip to consider moving but there may be more value in keeping him than it seems
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has been a logical trade piece for the team to hang in front of other teams ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline. Will the Panthers actually look to move him?
The NFL trade deadline is coming up next Tuesday (Nov. 10) and so far the Carolina Panthers have been quiet on the trade market since the season started. At 3-4, but in first place of the NFC South, the Panthers could easily look to be buyers or sellers.
Looking at the former, it’s hard to the Panthers to bring anyone in considering the team’s cap situation. The front office could make some room if they consider trading some players before the deadline, while also stocking up some future draft picks.
NFL insider Albert Breer mentioned three names the Panthers could consider moving before the deadline: DT Derrick Brown, RG Robert Hunt, and DT Bobby Brown III. There’s always pros and cons to weigh when it comes to trading, and there’s another name that seems like an obvious trade chip in Carolina.
Would the Panthers consider trading away TE Ja’Tavion Sanders
Any time the conversation of trading players has come up, the first name mentioned among fans in Carolina is tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Even after signing veteran tight end Darren Waller, the Panthers still opted to keep five tight ends on the 53-man roster.
Sanders has clearly been the odd man out. He’s been a heathy scratch in all seven games this season and seems to have no role on this team. At least that’s how things look on the outside. Inside the building, head coach Dave Canales shared what Sanders has still be able to bring to the team despite not being active on gamedays.
“JT’s done an excellent job for us in practice,” Canales said. “He continues to come in everyday trying to get better. And he has. He flashes out there and he can do some really nice things. The role that Darren Waller is playing for us is basically the role that JT would be in, if he’s getting the opportunity. You got Mitch (Evans) and you got Tommy (Tremble) – the versatility and the things they can do at the line of scrimmage – and then you have Feleipe (Franks), JT, and Darren who you move a little more in a different way. He’s got a unique skill set and he can also help on special teams. That’s why he’s still here. Because we value JT and we value the teammate that he is. He’s one of our guys. I know when JT gets his opportunity he’ll come through for us.”
I get how the optics look. Anytime a player spends seven games on the inactive list, he seems like a logical piece to trade away. But, Canales’ comments show that there’s more value Sanders brings to this team than what people on the outside see.
Think about is this way. If Waller, who’s 34-years-old, were to go down with an injury, Sanders is now thrusted into that spot as a starter. That’s a role where Waller has played nearly half of the offensive snaps for this team.
On top of that, you’re not going to get much value for Sanders. He’s in his third year and is a former fourth-round pick. Yet, Sanders’ value on the A to Z Sports Trade Simulator is only 152 points, essentially the equivalent of sixth-round pick. So, you’re not even getting your investment back by trading him while losing a key depth piece. For what it’s worth, I don’t see Sanders getting moved.
The name to watch in my eyes is Bobby Brown III, who’s played 41 percent of the defensive snaps this season and in the room with young guys eager for more opportunities. Plus moving him would save the team $6.2 million to potentially make another trade or roll it over to 2027. That’s the trade chip to watch.
