Adam Schefter reports that the Panthers are trading DE Kony Ealy and a third-round pick (No. 72) to Patriots in exchange for New England’s second-round pick (No. 64).
It’s interesting that the Patriots were able to drop back just a few picks and get Ealy in the process, who happens to be on an affordable contract.
Ealy, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Panthers back in 2014. He’s currently in the third year of his four-year, $3.546 million contract that included $1.249 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $803,660 for the 2017 season.
According to OverTheCap.com, trading Ealy will free up $903,660 of available cap space while creating $224,878 in dead money.
In 2016, Ealy appeared in all 16 games for the Panthers and recorded 32 tackles, five sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and three pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 79 edge rusher out of 109 qualifying players.
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