NFL Trade Deadline 2018: One deal each team should make

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates an interception by teammate Antoine Bethea #41 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 24: Julius Peppers #90 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers: Beef up on defense

The Carolina Panthers currently sit at 4-2, just a game out of first place in the NFC South. The division is still up for grabs, and there are plenty of moves for Carolina to make before the deadline, if they want to make a push for the playoffs. More specifically, the Panthers need to get to the quarterback.

Julius Peppers isn’t getting any younger, and setting him up across from Mario Addison every game isn’t helping. Dontari Poe is a solid man in the middle, but the edge rushers around him haven’t given his efforts much help. The Panthers currently rank 26th in the league on defense, which isn’t good enough for a team trying to compete for a playoff spot.

Luke Kuechly is great when healthy, and there is virtually no chance that the Panthers trade him away to the highest bidder. In fact, the Panthers should absolutely be buyers at the deadline, and of course, they need to buy defensive talent.

Carolina’s cornerbacks aren’t great either, and really haven’t been spectacular since Josh Norman’s career year in Charlotte. Eric Reid is a nice piece at safety, but the Panthers absolutely should be in play trying to get Patrick Peterson out of Arizona. A lockdown corner could work wonders for Ron Rivera’s defense, but they have to be willing to pay his price tag.

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