There is no such thing as the offseason in the NFL. Even though the NFL Draft is over and most of the top free agents have already found new homes, teams will make aggressive moves for established players over the next few months. While trade talks have largely surrounded guys like Tee Higgins and Brandon Aiyuk, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen could be on the market. Even though he’s entering his age-34 season, the former undrafted free agent was one of the few bright spots on the 2023 Carolina Panthers. Starting in all 17 games, the two-time Pro Bowler finished the season with 103 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.
Adam Thielen was the lone reliable part of the offense last year, but that might not stop the Panthers from looking for trade candidates. This is according to Greg Tompsett, who notes that the veteran’s salary cap number drops dramatically after June 1st.
Sneakiest post June 1st veteran WR trade targets are not the flashier names with Aiyuk, Higgins, DK, Deebo, C Sutton
Guys on non-contending teams, low salary, still healthy & productive…
Tyler Lockett – $4.6M
Adam Thielen – $5.5M
Darius Slayton – $2.5M
Jakobi Meyers – $5M— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) May 11, 2024
Carolina Panthers Could Trade Adam Thielen
It will be interesting to see if the Panthers are willing to trade Adam Thielen. On the one hand, the veteran is on the wrong side of 30 and will likely drop off before this rebuilding team is ready to compete. With Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette on the roster, the team could try to maximize their return on a player who probably doesn’t have much left in the tank. On the other hand, Thielen is the only player on the roster with a proven connection with Bryce Young. Supporting the former first-overall pick should be the first order of business in Carolina, and trading away his top option could be detrimental to his growth.
Chances are, the Panthers will only trade Adam Thielen if someone is willing to give up a decent return. Nobody will give up an early pick for a player entering his age-34 season, but a conditional fourth-round pick might be enough to peak Carolina’s interest. Only time will tell for sure, but these five teams could use someone like Thielen on the roster.
Possible Destinations
Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice could miss the 2024 season, and there is an outside chance the team will release him following his latest battle with the law. Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy both possess tremendous upside as downfield threats, but Kansas City could use a reliable big-bodied option capable of moving the chains and winning in contested situations. Adam Thielen is no spring chicken, but a trade could help this organization win its third Super Bowl in as many seasons.
Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews are a solid 1-2 punch, but most elite passing offenses require three reliable playmakers. Rashod Bateman has shown flashes throughout his three years in the league, but he has yet to put together a full 17-game season of impressive play. Adam Thielen can provide that steadying presence, but the trade candidate isn’t so good that he could prevent an organic breakout from Bateman.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are going with quantity over quality in their effort to replace Stefon Diggs. Marquez Valdes-Scantling joins Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir in this collection of good-but-not-great pass catchers. Last year, Thielen joined a similar group and brought some consistency to Carolina. Now, he can do the same for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers don’t have a single proven option at wide receiver. Ladd McConkey has potential and seventh-round rookie Brenden Rice believes in himself, but the rest of the depth chart needs some work. Adam Thielen is no longer Pro Bowl-caliber player, but the longtime veteran can be a reliable set of hands for Justin Herbert in this run-first offense.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones continues to captain the most underwhelming all-in campaign in recent memory. While he seems content to waste what could be the final year with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons all on the same team, he could come to his senses and trade for Adam Thielen. Lamb is amazing, but this team could use another veteran capable of getting open. Thielen, Brandin Cooks, and Jake Ferguson can be reliable secondary options for what should be one of the best passing attacks in the game.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
