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Andre Johnson Trade Partners: Browns, Patriots in the mix?

By Zack Kelberman

Dec 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /
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CAROLINA PANTHERS

Over the span of just a few months, the Panthers went from a halfway decent wide receiver corps to arguably one of the league’s worst. Gone is the ultra dependable Steve Smith. Gone is speedster Ted Ginn Jr. Their replacements? Washed-up veterans Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant, either of whom aren’t keeping opposing coordinators up at night.

To appease franchise quarterback Cam Newton, Carolina used its first-round draft selection on former FSU receiver Kelvin Benjamin. At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds Benjamin has the potential to be a matchup nightmare. “Potential” being the key word; he’s still raw around the edges and needs work in many areas.

Cutting a deal for Johnson would kill two birds with one stone, allowing Benjamin to work on his development and make life much easier for Newton. The Texans likely prefer to do business with an NFC club, but the Panthers are currently strapped for cap space ($5.532 million), rendering a trade difficult.

If — and it’s a big if — Johnson is willing to rework his contract, Carolina could be an ideal landing spot.

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