The non-competitive Carolina Panthers fell to 1-6 following Sunday's blowout defeat to the Denver Broncos. If there was a positive development for the Panthers, it's that they moved up from No. 3 to No. 1 overall in the current 2025 NFL Draft order following wins by the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns.
First-year Panthers general manager Dan Morgan remains in the early stages of a roster overhaul. With Carolina's season clearly going nowhere, Morgan should be willing to trade veteran players in exchange for draft picks at the early November NFL trade deadline. In addition to wide receiver Diontae Johnson being available, cornerback Jaycee Horn could garner interest.
Horn is signed through next season after the Panthers previously triggered his fifth-year option. Horn is available at an affordable price for teams searching for long-term cornerback help. We've identified three potential landing spots via trade.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens suffered a shocking upset defeat on Sunday at the hands of their AFC North rival Cleveland Browns. Browns backup quarterback Jameis Winston completed 27-of-41 passing attempts for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The Ravens have struggled to defend the pass all season long. They currently rank dead last in passing yards allowed per game (291.4).
Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was sidelined with an illness and shoulder injury on Sunday. Marlon Humphrey was also absent with a knee injury. Trayvon Mullen and T.J. Tampa are also on IR. The Ravens are hurting in the secondary, and the results are being impacted. Horn would immediately give the Ravens some depth and quality snaps.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings endured a difficult week after beginning the campaign a perfect 5-0. After suffering consecutive defeats merely four days apart, the Vikings dropped to third place in the ever-competitive NFC North, behind the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Brian Flores' defense allowed 30 points in both losses.
The Vikings are allowing a 30th-ranked 263 passing yards per outing. The aging Stephon Gilmore has a Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 58.8 this season. The opposite boundary starter, Shaquill Griffin, has been even worse (56.5). Flores could definitely use some better depth at boundary corner. The Vikings remain in a wild-card spot with plenty to play for. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should address his team's biggest weakness at the deadline.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers forfeited control of the NFC South on Sunday by losing a shoot-out, 31-26, to their rival Atlanta Falcons. Kirk Cousins had nearly as many touchdown passes (4) as he did incompletions (6). He also threw for 276 yards and zero interceptions. Todd Bowles' defense offered little resistance.
There's a lot of injury and inexperience in Tampa's secondary right now. No. 1 corner Jamel Dean is on IR with a hamstring injury. Rookie undrafted free agent Tyrek Funderbunk has been starting as a result and looks ill-equipped to be playing this early. Rookie nickel corner Tykee Smith also missed Sunday's game with a concussion. The Buccaneers need corner help, and the Panthers are in no position to refuse in-division trades if the offer meets expectations.
