Fansided

One trade every NFL team needs to make

By Brad Weiss

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 32
Next
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates (14) returns a kick against the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates (14) returns a kick against the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
Panthers Get
Wide Receiver Sammie Coates
Steelers Get
2018 6th Round Pick

For Cam Newton, his career has been one of some serious highs, as well as some pretty bad lows. After leading his team to Super Bowl 50, Newton made a fool of himself during his postgame press conference, walking off the stage after the Panthers were beaten soundly by the Denver Broncos. The lack of weapons hurt him last season, as he was continuously forced to make plays with his arm, and his feet.

This offseason, the Panthers lost Ted Ginn Jr. to free agency, and star wideout Kelvin Benjamin came into camp overweight. However, they did strike gold by drafting Stanford star running back Christian McCaffrey with their first round pick, giving Newton the most versatile player at the position he has had during his career. Carolina will be looking to make it back to the playoffs after failing to do so in 2016, but Newton definitely needs more help on the outside.

Enter Sammie Coates, who is one of a handful of talented receivers currently employed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coates is the kind of player who can change a game in an instant, and would team well with Benjamin to give Newton two deep threats on the outside. Add to the fact that Greg Olsen is still one of the better tight ends in the NFC, and the Panthers could be in for a special season in 2017.

Carolina did a nice job bolstering their defense this offseason, bringing back former Rookie of the Year Julius Peppers to be a leader in the locker room. The NFC South is going to be very strong, so Carolina needs to make sure they are ready to compete in what should be a shootout every week. Coates is a nice player, but with the team drafting JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round, he may be expendable.

Home/NFL