With a 1-4 record, the Carolina Panthers are already looking ahead to the 2025 season and may trade veterans like Miles Sanders in exchange for valuable draft picks. Despite a slight improvement in the offense under Andy Dalton, the team’s defense remains a significant weakness. The Panthers had too many roster gaps to fill in one offseason, focusing on upgrading the offense with a revamped line and better weapons. As they now look to the future, head coach Dave Canales will likely prioritize addressing the quarterback and defensive issues in the next offseason, but to do that, the team needs more draft capital. Trading Sanders could help achieve that.
Signed in the 2023 offseason, Sanders has been a disappointment for Carolina, particularly considering his role as a starting running back. He lost his job to Chuba Hubbard, and even as a backup, he struggled to make an impact. With second-round draft pick Jonathon Brooks set to return and Hubbard ranking fifth in rushing yards, there’s little incentive for the Panthers to keep Sanders around. According to reports from Bleacher Report, a trade involving Sanders would be a smart move as Carolina enters a new rebuild phase. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens could show interest in acquiring him.
The Dallas Cowboys have an unsettled running back situation after losing Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans. With only Rico Dowdle and a declining Ezekiel Elliott sharing the workload, the team lacks a reliable 200-touch running back. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a history of valuing the running back position, having spent a top-five draft pick on Elliott in 2016 and giving Pollard a $10 million deal in 2023. A low-cost trade for Sanders would fit within the team’s budget and provide much-needed depth to their backfield, especially since Sanders, even in his current form, is likely an upgrade over Elliott.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens could also pursue Sanders to bolster their running back depth. Despite having Derrick Henry, who continues to perform at an elite level even at 30, the Ravens could benefit from a reliable backup. Though Henry remains dominant, Justice Hill—recently extended by the team—is more suited for special teams play, and former undrafted free agent Keaton Mitchell is still recovering from an ACL injury. If Mitchell needs more time to regain his strength, Sanders could serve as a short-term backup, ensuring the Ravens have a capable runner behind Henry.
Both Dallas and Baltimore have reasons to consider trading for Sanders, and with the Panthers focused on rebuilding, moving Sanders for draft picks could be the best path forward for Carolina.
