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If you’re up for an interesting debate Youth Greg Van Roten Jersey , let’s discuss trading away Daryl Worley"WhiteFanposts Fanshots 9 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomWhich 2017 Panthers players were missed the most in 2018? - Defense and special teams editionNew,25commentsIf you’re up for an interesting debate, let’s discuss trading away Daryl WorleyESTShareTweetShareShareWhich 2017 Panthers players were missed the most in 2018? - Defense and special teams editionBob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsThe Carolina Panthers stumbled to a 7-9 record in 2018, just one year removed from a solid 2017 campaign in which they went 11-5 and made the postseason. One way to reflect on the year-over-year decline is to evaluate which players from the 2017 squad the Panthers actively chose to not bring back this year (i.e. traded or didn’t re-sign). With that in mind here is the recap of the 2017 defense and special teams players who played elsewhere in 2018 and how much (or little) the team missed them this year. DT Star LotuleleiDeparted via: Free agency. Signed 5-year, $50 million deal with the Buffalo BillsStar’s 2017 campaign was arguably his worst in Carolina with just 25 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks Stitched Greg Van Roten Jersey , and five quarterback hits (though his full value as a blocker-eater isn’t reflected in stats alone.) In 2018 Star signed with the Bills and had another disappointing year with a career-low 17 tackles, one tackle for loss, zero sacks, and zero quarterback hits. If Pro Football Focus grades mean anything to you, his 55.9 grade was No. 103 at his position. Final evaluation: Glad the Panthers aren’t on the hook for his 2019 cap hit of $11.5 million. S Kurt ColemanDeparted via: Cut by Panthers. Signed 3-year, $16.3 million deal with the New Orleans SaintsHe signed with the Saints in 2018 and settled in as a role player instead of an impact player. He appeared inall 16 games with nine starts but played in just 34.9 percent of New Orleans’ defensive snaps and his role decreased as the season progressed. Final evaluation: Perfectly fine veteran but won’t live up to his 2019 cap hit of $7.0 million. CB Daryl WorleyDeparted via: Traded to Eagles for Torrey SmithAfter being traded in March 2018, Worley was arrested under troubling circumstances in April and was immediately released by the Eagles. The Oakland Raiders then signed him and he began the season with a four-game suspension stemming from the arrest. But once Worley got back on the field Youth Eric Reid Jersey , he was serviceable. He appeared in 11 games with nine starts. He had 33 tackles (three for losses), seven passes defended, and one interception. His PFF grade of 55.6 was No. 109 among cornerbacks. Final evaluation: Off-field issues aside, Daryl Worley would’ve been far more valuable than Torrey Smith this year and next year. K Harrison ButkerDeparted via: Signed off Panthers practice squad by the Kansas City Chiefs in September 2017The Panthers selected Butker in the seventh round of the 2017 draft on a delicious four-year, $2.4 million deal then took a calculated risk by putting him on the practice squad while continuing to roll with Graham Gano. The Chiefs plucked Butker off the practice squad and the Panthers re-upped with Gano for four years, $17 million. Final evaluation: Let’s see, Butker and Gano produce at similar levels but one gets paid seven times more than the other...PR/WR Kaelin ClayDeparted via: Free agency. Signed a 1-year Stitched Eric Reid Jersey , $720,000 deal with the Buffalo BillsThe speedy special teamer spent only a partial season in Carolina in 2017 and returned 17 punts and three kickoffs over nine games including a spectacular 60-yard punt return touchdown in a Week 12 win against the New York Jets. His 2018 season was disappointing though as he was waived by the Bills, signed by the Giants, then went on injured reserve after returning five punts for 15 yards. Final evaluation: Plenty of other options with Damiere not saying he’d be a Pro Bowler, but any team relying on Captain Munnerlyn and Corn Elder could use all of the help it can get. Overall, Marty Hurney was right to let Lotulelei and Coleman move on, but losing Harrison Butker is a costly mistake. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight Youth Matt Paradis Jersey , Carolina would’ve been better off trying to develop Daryl Worley than watching Torrey Smith tumble down the depth chart. As we start to look ahead to 2019, Marty Hurney will have several big decisions about re-signing current players or letting them walk. Let’s hope he makes the right calls. This is part two of a series looking at potential trade up scenarios for the Panthers in the NFL Draft."In part one of this two-part series I reviewed the possibilities of the Panthers trading up in the first round to obtain a pass rusher. In part two let’s look at the more likely scenario. The Panthers draft a different position in the first round at No. 16, such as an offensive tackle. It would make sense wouldn’t it? In a draft heavy in defensive linemen there is a good chance a good one slips to the latter third of the first round. That would put the Panthers in range by offering the Panthers’ second round pick (No. 47) plus a second or third round pick in next year’s draft depending on how far they need to jump up into the first round. Given the number of defensive linemen with first round grades I can almost guarantee there will be a pass rusher available in the mid to late 20s. With luck a player like Clelin Ferrell or Montez Sweat could slide into the 20s. Certainly Florida defensive end Jachai Polite could be there though I hear he butchered the interview process at the combine. I admit though his tape is impressive. He is really good at getting under the tackles pads and taking the short path to the quarterback.Jaylon Ferguson had 45 sacks at Louisiana Tech in four seasons. Yes he played at the FBS level but the kid has football instincts. You just have to get past the level of competition.Zack Allen from Boston College could be a target early in the second round. I’m sure Luke Kuechly would welcome a fellow Eagle on the Panthers defense. Allen would not require an extra second round pick to move up, more like a third or maybe the Panthers third round compensatory pick.If we now flip the script and instead assume the Panthers selected a pass rusher in the first round a trade up for a tackle could be in the cards. There should be a couple good prospects that could be available late in the first round or early second. Dalton Risner, Cody Ford, or Greg Little would be good addition to the Panthers offensive line. The Panthers may find the chance to land a starting caliber tackle with a couple mid round picks too tempting to pass up.After last season’s second half meltdown general manager Marty Hurney and head coach Ron Rivera might feel the need to turn things around in a hurry. For this reason trading a future pick might not seem as risky as in past offseasons. Another seven-win season or worse and it will be the next general manager having to deal with the 2020 draft. For this reason I expect the Panthers to be active during this upcoming draft.