Panthers find themselves first in line to potentially add a difference-maker to the defense after sitting out during the NFL trade deadline
As expected, Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan played it safe on Tuesday when the NFL trade deadline expired and elected not to make a deal, despite speculation that the team would look to add some additional pieces to the roster after a 5-4 start to the season.Ultimately, it was the right approach from the […]
As expected, Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan played it safe on Tuesday when the NFL trade deadline expired and elected not to make a deal, despite speculation that the team would look to add some additional pieces to the roster after a 5-4 start to the season.
Ultimately, it was the right approach from the front office. The Panthers are not a team that’s one player away from making a run and coughing up future draft picks for a team still in the rebuilding mindset is never a good idea.
But, even though the Panthers stayed quiet on Tuesday doesn’t mean the team isn’t considering an addition in another way. Which is why the Panthers are hosting an intriguing visit this week.
Free agent CB Asante Samuel Jr. expected to visit Carolina after getting medically cleared to play
Earlier this week, free agent cornerback and former Los Angeles Chargers second-round pick Asante Samuel Jr., was medically cleared to play by his doctors following a spinal fusion surgery he underwent in April to repair his injured neck.
Now that he’s cleared to play, multiple teams are lining up to bring him in for a visit to see how he’s looking health-wise and how he’s looking in terms of his game shape. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Panthers are the first team in line to bring Samuel in for a visit, followed by scheduled visits with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings later this week.
Being interesting the cornerback market is notable here. Leading up to the trade deadline, many expected the Panthers to be interested in adding a veteran pass rusher after losing Pat Jones II a few weeks back to a season-ending injury. Instead, the Panthers saw it as an opportunity to get two rookies more involved in Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen off the edge.
It seems cornerback is actually the position of interest for the Panthers defense based on this latest news with Samuel. Carolina obviously has a star in the making on one side of the field in Jaycee Horn and a free agent addition on the other side in Mike Jackson. In the slot, Chau Smith-Wade has made a notable impact in his second season.
During his time in Los Angeles, Samuel played extensively on the outside despite his small frame. Perhaps the Panthers view him as a possible upgrade over Jackson, who’s allowed 28 receptions for 403 yards and two touchdowns in coverage, all of which are the most on the team.
It’s worth it to at least do some due diligence because there’s not even a guarantee Samuel can be ready to step in and play immediately. League-wide interest is real in the 26-year-old to see what kind of condition he’s in and if he can provide a difference-making addition for a defense. If he can, Carolina would be smart to not let him leave the building.
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