A rather interesting trade proposal could not only give the Carolina Panthers a solution to their depleted secondary, but also the return of a familiar face.
With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors recently cooked up eight compelling mock swaps. One of the deals sees the Panthers landing Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson, as well as a 2027 seventh-round pick, in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Ulrich writes:
Jackson is a perfect fit, and not just because he started his career with the Panthers and has played more seasons in black and blue than any other color. The veteran is a solid player with good instincts and a competitive attitude against the run, even if his lack of size works against him in both facets of the game. He's playing a little over 40 percent of the snaps for the Chargers this season as they roll with younger options, but still has two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss in six games.
Heading into Week 7, the Panthers are still without starting corners Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson (groin)—both of whom are on injured reserve. But at least there's a little light at the end of what initially seemed to be a dark tunnel, as head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Friday that both Horn and Jackson are "ahead" in their respective recoveries.
Until then, however, Carolina may have to continue to roll with rookie Will Lee III and special teams ace Akayleb Evans in their stead. Lee has impressed, while Evans struggled mightily—particularly in Week 4, where he allowed 11 receptions for nearly 200 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.
So acquiring a more capable short-term starter in (Donte) Jackson—all for the cost of a late-round pick swap—is rather enticing.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Compelling trade proposal sends familiar face back to Panthers