Chuba HubbardQuinn Harris/Getty Images
This loss was so bad for the Carolina Panthers that Bryce Young made his first appearance since getting benched.
Chuba Hubbard was one of the few silver linings for Carolina, as the running back had 13 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown. Granted, Hubbard also lost a fumble to put a damper on his afternoon.
To rub salt in the wounds, DJ Moore went off for over 100 yards and two touchdowns while the organization got a not-so-subtle reminder that it was a year early on getting the No. 1 overall pick, as Caleb Williams had his best game as a pro.
Add Now: Trade RB Miles Sanders
The addition here would actually be draft picks/assets for the future, but the point is that the Panthers should look into dealing Sanders. Granted, the running back’s value has dwindled to the point where he wasn’t featured on this past week’s B/R NFL Trade Block Big Board like he had been previously.
However, that’s because Chuba Hubbard has taken over as the lead back and the sixth-year veteran’s role in the offense has declined. The organization should see what it can get for him to help build for the future, and the fact that he’s under contract through 2026 could help them recoup some value.
2025 Free Agency: DT Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions
Even with a healthy Derrick Brown, Carolina could use some more talent at defensive tackle. Also, LaBryan Ray and Nick Thurman are impending free agents which will make the team even thinner at the position if those two leave in free agency.
McNeill enjoyed a breakout campaign last year for the Lions, racking up 34 pressures on 348 pass-rush snaps (five sacks) to go along with a 79.3 run-defense grade during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. He missed four games with an injury, so those numbers could have been even higher.
Pairing him with Brown would give the defense a fearsome defensive tackle duo. The front office is currently projected to have about $42 million of cap space available this offseason, per Over The Cap, to make it happen.
2025 NFL Draft: QB Cam Ward, Miami
There’s been a focus on quarterbacks for the Panthers ever since Bryce Young was benched a few weeks ago. The Hurricane is one guy who is worth mentioning but hasn’t been brought up yet, and he is having arguably the best season of any passer in college football.
“At this point in the process, Ward is QB1 over Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Georgia’s Carson Beck. Why? Ward is physically superior with specific raw tools, like arm strength and athleticism,” offensive skill positions scout Damian Parson said in B/R’s initial big board.
“He makes throws from different platforms and multiple arm angles that most quarterbacks cannot. Ward’s accuracy and ball placement are on par with Sanders and Beck, but with a stronger physical skill set. As such, his ceiling should be viewed as higher.
“The two-time transfer plays with a level of confidence that borders ‘cocky,’ but it factors into his teams never being out of a game. Simply put, Ward has superstar tools and abilities for the next level. His concerns are coachable, but his natural abilities are not.”
