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Let's face it—unless the Carolina Panthers are interested in signing an older veteran like a Keenan Allen, a Stefon Diggs or an Amari Cooper, they're not going to find their No. 1 wide receiver on the open market now. (That player, rather, might be secured via the upcoming draft.)
But they could still find a wideout with the capabilities to fill another vacant role—as their return man.
After the first wave of free agency, there is only one player on the roster who fielded either a punt or a kickoff for the team in 2024, first-round pick Xavier Legette (four). The five others—running backs Raheem Blackshear and Miles Sanders and receivers Deven Thompkins, Velus Jones Jr. and David Moore—have either been traded or have entered free agency.
Oh, and the offense also really needs some depth at wideout spot—preferably a player with some jets. (As of now, their WR4 is Dan Chisena. Yeah, not great.)
So, let's take a look at four pass catchers who can fit the bill . . .
Moore isn't the fastest receiver. In fact, he may have been the worst separator in the NFL last season.
But don't discount his ties to head coach Dave Canales, who worked with Moore for five seasons even before they came to Carolina. Plus, the 30-year-old did have a decent connection with quarterback Bryce Young down the stretch in 2024, one that included an 81-yard receiving performance in their near-upset of the Kansas City Chiefs.
From one Moore to another, Rondale could provide an intriguing element of speed and shiftiness to the Carolina offense. The 5-foot-7, 181-pounder has been used as a gadget guy in the past, so Canales can open up, or even add, to the playbook with the former second-round pick in tow.
Moore missed the entire 2024 campaign after sustaining a non-contact knee injury with the Atlanta Falcons last summer. But he's still just 24 years old, and has a bit of experience on kick returns (22 career attempts) and punt returns (13).
Speaking of experience on special teams, Duvernay has a boatload of it. In fact, he's used it to become a first-team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.
Duvernay, 27 years old, is currently the NFL's active leader in yards per punt return (12.0). Over his five-year career, he's taken back a total of 88 punts and 87 kickoffs.
Also a Pro Bowler for his return prowess, Hardman fielded 20 punts and five kickoffs for the Chiefs in 2024.
The three-time Super Bowl champion, in addition, has posted three campaigns of at least 500 receiving yards since entering the NFL in 2019.
(For all the latest updates on free agency, follow along here.)
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL free agency: 4 remaining WRs who still make sense for the Panthers
Continue reading...
But they could still find a wideout with the capabilities to fill another vacant role—as their return man.
After the first wave of free agency, there is only one player on the roster who fielded either a punt or a kickoff for the team in 2024, first-round pick Xavier Legette (four). The five others—running backs Raheem Blackshear and Miles Sanders and receivers Deven Thompkins, Velus Jones Jr. and David Moore—have either been traded or have entered free agency.
Oh, and the offense also really needs some depth at wideout spot—preferably a player with some jets. (As of now, their WR4 is Dan Chisena. Yeah, not great.)
So, let's take a look at four pass catchers who can fit the bill . . .
David Moore
Moore isn't the fastest receiver. In fact, he may have been the worst separator in the NFL last season.
But don't discount his ties to head coach Dave Canales, who worked with Moore for five seasons even before they came to Carolina. Plus, the 30-year-old did have a decent connection with quarterback Bryce Young down the stretch in 2024, one that included an 81-yard receiving performance in their near-upset of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rondale Moore
From one Moore to another, Rondale could provide an intriguing element of speed and shiftiness to the Carolina offense. The 5-foot-7, 181-pounder has been used as a gadget guy in the past, so Canales can open up, or even add, to the playbook with the former second-round pick in tow.
Moore missed the entire 2024 campaign after sustaining a non-contact knee injury with the Atlanta Falcons last summer. But he's still just 24 years old, and has a bit of experience on kick returns (22 career attempts) and punt returns (13).
Devin Duvernay
Speaking of experience on special teams, Duvernay has a boatload of it. In fact, he's used it to become a first-team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.
Duvernay, 27 years old, is currently the NFL's active leader in yards per punt return (12.0). Over his five-year career, he's taken back a total of 88 punts and 87 kickoffs.
Mecole Hardman
Also a Pro Bowler for his return prowess, Hardman fielded 20 punts and five kickoffs for the Chiefs in 2024.
The three-time Super Bowl champion, in addition, has posted three campaigns of at least 500 receiving yards since entering the NFL in 2019.
(For all the latest updates on free agency, follow along here.)
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL free agency: 4 remaining WRs who still make sense for the Panthers
Continue reading...
