The Carolina Panthers have as many needs as any team heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. The Panthers gave up the most points (534) of any team in the league in 2024, a massive 66 points more than the second-worst Dallas Cowboys. The team, unsurprisingly, also allowed the most yards during the 2024 NFL season, giving up an eye-popping 6,877.
Those 6,877 yards were the second-most ever allowed in an NFL season, behind only the 2012 New Orleans Saints (7,042). With drastic improvements needed, the Panthers have been predicted to make a huge move in late April, trading back in the first round to acquire an elite veteran pass rusher.
Panthers Predicted to Trade For Bengals Star Pass Rusher Trey Hendrickson
Recently, PFSN gathered 32 content creators and beat writers together to create a collaborative Mock Draft. Each writer was responsible for their own team’s pick, with Natalie Miller of USA Today taking control of the Panthers.
Miller certainly took the opportunity to make a splash, agreeing to a trade with Mike Masala (The Sporting News – Cincinnati Bengals) to acquire Trey Hendrickson. The trade involves the Panthers trading down to pick 17 in the first round, sending the eighth overall pick and a third-rounder to the Bengals.
After the trade, Miller selected former Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams at 17. She explained in detail how the trade would allow the Panthers to completely transform its defensive line, one that generated only 32 sacks in 2024 (third-worst in the NFL).
“Carolina headed into the offseason with massive needs all along their defense,” wrote Miller. “The Carolina Panthers were able to fill some of the holes along the defensive line in free agency, but after a trade down in which they acquired one of the best pass rushers in the league in Hendrickson, the team also landed who was going to be their pick at No. 8 in Williams.
“With these two additions, Carolina instantly turns what was their biggest weakness into one of their biggest strengths, with four solid edge rushers on the roster.”
What Would Trey Hendrickson and Mykel Williams Bring to Carolina?
Further explaining the Panthers’ need for pass rushers, the PFSN stats and insights team highlighted the upgrade the team would get with Hendrickson.
“Trading for Hendrickson would be a massive game-changer for a Panthers defense that received an F grade in our Defense+ metric. They ranked last in the NFL in sacks (29) and pressure rate (25.1%). Hendrickson was a one-man wrecking crew in 2024, ranking first in sacks (17.5) and pressures (83).
“Williams is one of the most enticing edge rushers in the class because of his elite physical attributes and relentless motor. He’s a raw talent with a limitless upside. By adding Hendrickson and Williams to their existing duo of Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum in one fell swoop, the Panthers become one of the most dangerous pass-rushing units overnight.”
The thought of the team with the league’s worst pass rush simply trading for the league’s best pass rusher seems far too simplistic at first glance. But, with Hendrickson growing frustrated with Cincinnati’s lack of urgency regarding an extension, this particular scenario isn’t out of the question.