2025’s draft hopefuls may not be the only players who find themselves new homes across the NFL this weekend.
On Monday, ESPN senior insider Adam Schefter and Sports Illustrated senior reporter Albert Breer both wrote about the possibility of some draft-day trades. And these prospective deals wouldn’t be centered on picks or soon-to-be rookies, but rather on veterans.
Between the upcoming deadline for the 2022 class’ fifth-year options and the impending surplus of talent still on rookie contracts, teams could be looking to offload their expendable veterans during the selection process.
So, if that’s the case, here are six potentially available players the Carolina Panthers could have interest in acquiring:
WR Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions)
Carolina’s offense currently lacks a certified speed threat that can open up the field and take the top off of opposing defenses. So, perhaps their starting quarterback’s favorite college target would be a natural fit.
Despite just turning in his first 1,000-yard season as a pro, Williams hasn’t exactly lived up to the 12th overall pick Detroit used on him back in 2022. The 24-year-old comes with two controllable seasons—so maybe the Lions would be more interested in milking his trade value than paying up on a fifth-year option or an extension.
WR Jalin Hyatt (New York Giants)
Like Williams, Hyatt could add some wheels to the passing game for the Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young. But unlike Williams, the former third-round pick should come at a pretty low price.
Hyatt has struggled to produce in New York, as he’s recorded just 435 receiving yards and zero touchdowns over two full seasons. The 23-year-old Irmo, S.C. native is worth a flier, perhaps in a trade for a late-round selection.
EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (New York Giants)
Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick of the 2022 draft, hasn’t been a disappointment. He could, however, be a third wheel if the Giants are looking take Penn State star Abdul Carter with this year’s No. 3 selection.
These two teams, of course, came together on a deal last offseason for a potent pass rusher in Brian Burns. So could it be the Panthers who add the key piece this time around?
EDGE Tyree Wilson (Las Vegas Raiders)
Las Vegas selected Wilson with the seventh overall pick of the 2023 draft hoping to get him to his sky-high ceiling. But he’s still looking up, with just 8.0 sacks over his first two campaigns.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pounder fits the physical and athletic profile of what this Carolina front office wants off their edge.
CB Greg Newsome II (Cleveland Browns)
The Panthers may have signed over quite a bucks to cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson earlier this offseason, but the position remains rather light.
Newsome, the 26th overall selection in 2021, could immediately take over as the primary defender from the slot—where he’s played the majority of his snaps over the last three seasons. The lanky 6-foot-1, 192-pounder also has outside chops if needed.
CB Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers)
Alexander is different from the rest of this field in that he’s already an established stud. So a trade for a two-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler would probably look a bit more complicated.
The 28-year-old has a pair of seasons remaining on his contract, with incoming cap numbers of $24.6 million in 2025 and $27.0 million in 2026. And while the Panthers did re-sign Jackson, they could drastically upgrade the starting spot across from Horn with the Charlotte, N.C. native.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 6 veteran players the Panthers could trade for