Analyzing potential trade scenarios between KC Chiefs and Panthers
By Matt Conner
D.J. Moore, WR
In many ways, this is the trade that a lot of Chiefs fans would want to see.
D.J. Moore is a former first-round pick who is coming off three consecutive seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards and yet is still only 25 years old. He’s proven to be very reliable, as he’s played in at least 15 games every year for the Panthers, and he’s put up that kind of steady production within a limited offense that featured Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, and Sam Darnold as the starting quarterbacks for those 1K-yard seasons.
If the Panthers were ready and willing to trade a young asset like Moore, most teams would love such an addition—including the Chiefs. Remember that Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s deal is really a series of team options that get much more expensive after 2022. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman are free agents next spring. That leaves Skyy Moore as the only name of note at wideout beyond 2022 for the Chiefs.
On the one hand, a matchup makes a lot of sense. Moore’s base salary this year is only $1 million, which fits right into the Chiefs’ tight budget. Moore is also locked into a recently signed extension averaging $20 million per year. The Chiefs were willing to go $25M for Tyreek Hill and those amounts will only climb much farther in the future.
Is Moore worthy of that much if he’s never even made a Pro Bowl? Let’s not forget Moore has never had even a league-average quarterback. And we’re not the only ones who think the Chiefs would be a good fit. Then again, it might not matter if FOX Sports reporter Will Kunkel is right.
The Panthers are NOT trying to trade DJ Moore, according to my sources.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) October 12, 2022
These false reports are getting out of control. Stop trying to throw darts.
It’s very possible the Chiefs extend Smith-Schuster and accept the option for MVS and bring back this year’s core trio for another run. But if the Chiefs want to add a long-term fit who could grow with Mahomes into his prime, Moore is a great addition. He can play be moved inside or out to either side and he’s been productive even when the system is limiting his ceiling. The only question is whether the price is too costly or whether the Panthers would move him at all.
Position Fit: 9/10
Chance of Happening: Low/Medium