The Carolina Panthers potentially have their franchise quarterback in former No. 1 pick Bryce Young. He showed much promise after returning from last year’s benching, but the Panthers’ roster still has a plethora of holes around him.
Arguably, the most glaring void is in the receiving room, which is currently highlighted by veteran Adam Thielen, struggling rookie Xavier Legette, and serviceable tight end Tommy Tremble. Addressing this part of the offense is key to Young developing further.
While the Panthers could select a wide receiver with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, that selection should be used to fill other needs, likely on the defensive side of the ball. Carolina’s front office could instead turn to the trade market to provide Young with a star receiving threat.
Panthers Predicted To Take Risk By Acquiring Steelers’ George Pickens
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is viewed as one of the NFL‘s most emotional players, which can be a blessing and a curse at certain times. It shows his true passion for competing and winning, but alternatively, it can spark issues with coaches and teammates.
This is why Pro Football Network’s Ben Rolfe predicts the Panthers to swing for the fences by making a blockbuster trade for Pickens. In the proposed trade, Carolina sends a 2025 second-round pick (No. 57 overall) and a 2025 fourth-round pick (from DAL) to Pittsburgh for Pickens and a 2025 fifth-round selection.
Rolfe compared the potential trade to the Brandin Cooks trade in 2017 between the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, stating, “Pickens won’t go for as much due to the one less year of team control and his own maturity issues. Moving all the draft picks involved down a round feels fair for a talented receiver who comes with more question marks.”
The 23-year-old finished the 2024 campaign with 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. Pickens’ numbers were down some from his sophomore season, but given his youth, the Panthers would hopefully develop him into a Pro Bowl WR. A return of a Day 2 and 3 pick is fair for the Steelers, especially if they’re growing tired of his antics.
“Given Pickens’ repeated disciplinary issues, the Steelers appear reluctant to hand him an extension despite his importance to the offense,” Rolfe wrote. “Meanwhile, the Panthers currently have several picks in 2025 and are in need of a true top target for quarterback Bryce Young.
“Trading for a player like Pickens is a gamble, but it would also enable Carolina to use the No. 8 overall selection to bolster a defense that had the second-worst Defense+ grade (53.5) since 2019,” Rolfe concluded.
Young ranked as the No. 28 QB in PFN’s QB+ metric, but hopefully the addition of Pickens could boost him into the upper half at the position.