Carolina acquired cornerback Kevon Seymour from Buffalo for…
Carolina acquired cornerback Kevon Seymour from Buffalo for receiver Kaelin Clay and a 2019 seventh-round pick. Seymour gave the Panthers useful secondary depth, appearing in 29 games over two seasons and making several starts. Buffalo quickly moved on from Clay, who was reclaimed by Carolina, but kept the future pick and eventually selected tight end Tommy Sweeney at No. 228. The pick's multi-year roster value gives Buffalo a narrow edge.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Kaelin Clay
- pick 2019 7th round pick (228th overall, Tommy Sweeney)
Carolina Panthers Received
- player Kevon Seymour
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Carolina traded receiver and returner Kaelin Clay plus a 2019 seventh-round pick to Buffalo for cornerback Kevon Seymour immediately after 2017 roster cuts. The Panthers needed secondary depth and were familiar with the defensive system Seymour had learned under former Carolina coordinator Sean McDermott in Buffalo. The Bills received a return specialist and a distant future selection.
Why Carolina Got Useful Short-Term Help
Seymour transitioned quickly enough to appear in all 16 games for Carolina in 2017 and stepped into defensive snaps when injuries hit the secondary. He remained with the Panthers for 2018, giving the club two seasons of depth and several starts. That is reasonable value for a seventh-round pick and a player who was low on the wide-receiver depth chart. Clay's inclusion also hurt less because Carolina reclaimed him on waivers later in the 2017 season.
How Buffalo's Pick Created the Difference
Clay played only a handful of games for Buffalo before being waived, so he did not drive the Bills' grade. The future seventh-rounder did. Buffalo eventually used pick No. 228 in 2019 on tight end Tommy Sweeney, who stayed with the organization for multiple seasons as a reserve and special-teams contributor. The return was modest, but the Bills effectively turned a cornerback they were moving on from into a draft asset with longer roster life.
Final Verdict
Buffalo earns a B- and Carolina a C+. Seymour helped the Panthers, but Buffalo retained the longer-lived asset after Clay returned to Carolina. Buffalo Bills Win.