The Carolina Panthers recently fired their head coach, Matt Rhule, which led to immediate speculation that the team might be trading away some of their top players at the trade deadline. 

It makes a ton of sense that they would, considering how the trade for Sam Darnold hasn’t panned out and now with current starting quarterback Baker Mayfield missing some time due to a high ankle sprain. 

If the Panthers are indeed going to trade valuable assets to start their rebuild, then here are two names that should be traded and two that should not be traded.

Players that should be traded

Christian McCaffery

There have been rumors that the Buffalo Bills have reached out to the Panthers about Christian McCaffery and rightfully so. McCaffery can get the most in return for the Panthers and although he hasn’t looked bad this season, the former All-Pro running back has missed a lot of time due to injury these past two years.

DJ Moore

Moore is another guy who the Panthers can get good return for as a former first-round pick out of Maryland. He has quietly produced and put up great numbers during his time in Carolina. He has three consecutive 1000-yard seasons since 2019 with quarterbacks like Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold throwing to him. Honestly, I would love to see Moore be dealt to a better situation because he is a reliable wide receiver that has been unfortunately playing with incompetent quarterback play for the years he has been in Carolina. But if the Panthers do indeed struggle the rest of the season, and can get their hands on either Bryce Young or C.J Stroud in the draft, then maybe keep Moore around. 

Players that should not be traded

Brian Burns

Burns has established himself as one of the best young edge rushers in the game. At only 24 years old he is coming off a Pro Bowl season and continues to shine. This season he has already posted four sacks through five games, which is tied for 11th in the league among all edge defenders and has also racked up 24 pressures thus far, which is third best in his position group. There has been speculation that Burns is practically a “lock” to be traded before the deadline. However, a talent like Burns should be at the forefront of the Panthers defensive line for years to come.

Jaycee Horn

Horn was playing really well in his rookie season, until a foot injury cut that time short. Now fully healthy, Horn has been nothing short of lockdown this season. He is currently allowing a 23.8 passer rating which is the lowest among all cornerbacks. Per PFF, when playing on the outside, Horn has not given up a single first down or touchdown through the first five weeks of the season. A future with Burns up front and Horn playing along the boundary sounds pretty good to me, and to others as well.