The Carolina Panthers have been one of the more successful franchises over the last decade, and that is mostly due to excellent management. The Panthers have drafted extremely well in the last few years. Some notable names include:

Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Kawann Short, Trai Turner, Christian Mccaffrey, Star Lotulelei, James Bradberry, Tre Boston, Harrison Butker, DJ Moore, Brian Burns and several more starting caliber players have all been drafted by the Panthers franchise since 2011.

Their excellent scouting team has propelled the Panthers to four playoff berths including a super bowl appearance where they fell just short to the Denver Broncos.

The Panthers management brilliance does not end there, however. They have also made multiple excellent trades that have made this Carolina franchise a force to be reckoned with. Trades are what separates the good GM's from the great ones.

During the draft process, there are so many unpredictable players that it's impossible to hit on every single pick. There are busts, there are boom players, but to say that a team has never drafted a dud in the early rounds is a fallacy. Trading, however, is different. Once players enter the NFL, they can be valued at the professional level. Every GM knows what these players are capable of at the professional level and the result of every trade is directly correlated to how these GM's value these players. Carolina has done an excellent job trading over the years, receiving players who have produced for them and have given up little to nothing in return.

Here are the five best trades in Carolina Panthers history.

#5. Trading for Russell Okung

March 4, 2020, Panthers and Chargers

Panthers Trade Away: Trai Turner (G)

Panthers Receive: Russell Okung (T)

This recent deal was one that reaped immediate rewards for Matt Rhule and the Panthers. Although Trai Turner is a multiple time pro-bowler, Tackles are much harder to come by and provide far more value to the offensive line.

Once the Panthers signed Teddy Bridgewater to a long-term deal, they needed to make sure that they could protect him. Russell Okung has done a solid job of that. The Panthers, who gave up the most sacks in the NFL last year, are now in the top-half of the league in sacks taken. Solid trade overall.

#4. Trading away Kelvin Benjamin

October 31, 2017, Panthers and Bills

Panthers trade away: Kelvin Benjamin

Panthers Receive: 3rd round pick (Rashaan Gaulden), 7th round pick (Andre Smith)

At the time of this trade, many thought that the Panthers were crazy to trade their former first round pick after just a couple of years with the Panthers. Benjamin played two full seasons for Carolina, where he racked up close to 2,000 yards and scored sixteen touchdowns. The trade left the Panthers without a top wide receiver and left fans questioning ‘What the heck are they thinking?'. Turns out management knew something that fans and other GM's didn't. Benjamin lost his step. With work ethic continually being a question, Benjamin's production plummeted once he left Carolina in 2016, and by 2018 Benjamin was already out of the league. Even though the picks that they received in return turned out to be two players who have been virtual non-factors, the fact that they received draft capital for Benjamin was remarkable. Never question Carolina's management.

#3. Panthers trade for Taylor Moton

March 10, 2017, Panthers and Patriots

Panthers Trade Away: Kony Ealy, 3rd round pick

Panthers Receive: 2nd round pick (Taylor Moton)

The Panthers saw someone in the draft that they liked and they moved up to get him by using later draft capital and expendable players. Kony Ealy, a player that at the time was coming off of a career year as a disruptive pass-rusher, was the piece that they decided to move. He was out of the league by 2018.

Taylor Moton, the player that they traded up for, turned out to be a rock solid tackle for them on the right side. Playing opposite of Russell Okung, Moton has been a pillar on that Panthers offensive line. After his rookie season in 2017, Moton has started every single game for the club at right tackle.

To secure a solid young right tackle, the franchise traded a declining pass rusher and a later round pick. Ask any GM in the league and it is almost guaranteed that they'll take that deal ten times our of ten.

#2. Panthers Trade for Jared Allen

September 28, 2015, Panthers and Bears

Panthers Trade Away: 2016 6th round pick

Panthers Receive: Jared Allen

Jared Allen may have been at the tail end of his career here, but considering how little the Panthers gave up to get him is incredible. Allen was a big part of a 2015 defense that went 15-1 and lost to the Denver Broncos in the super bowl.

He started 12 games for the Panthers and recorded 2 sacks, 27 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 13 QB hits. Pretty productive considering all they gave up was a 6th round pick. Although Allen retired the following season, he was a helpful piece that got the team to the super bowl. Yet another genius move from Carolina's management.

#1. Panthers Trade for Greg Olsen

July 29, 2011, Panthers and Bears

Panthers Trade Away: 2012 3rd round pick

Panthers Receive: Greg Olsen

Yes, you read that right in case you forgot. All Carolina had to give up to get pro-bowl tight end Greg Olsen was a third round pick. Olsen had a tremendous career in Carolina, totaling 524 catches, for 6,463 yards and 39 touchdowns in 126 games. These numbers rank him among the best tight ends ever to play football!

Olsen was a three time pro-bowler in Carolina and had three seasons over 1,000 yards. He was Cam Newton's safety valve and go-to option for years in Carolina. He cemented himself as a top tight end in the league for several consecutive years in Carolina and is regarded as a legend.

I think it is obvious that the Panthers made the most out of that third round pick. This was by far, the best trade they have ever made.

Conclusion

Once you dissect the roster moves that this team have made in its history, it's impressive how well they've done. They have done a great job making their teams consistently competitive, and have made trades where they receive impact players for declining assets. Whether it's a starting offensive lineman, a hall of fame tight end, or even just trading away players that might be valued higher by another organization, the Panthers always seem to make the right move.

To date, these have been the best trades in Carolina history.