Carolina Panthers near bottom of realistic Antonio Brown landing spots
Only a few other teams have worse odds of landing Antonio Brown than the Carolina Panthers.
Five seasons have passed since Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had a legitimate No. 1 receiving option in Steve Smith. Since, the team has drafted four receivers and all were selected within the first two rounds, two in the first.
Kelvin Benjamin was option number one and after a solid rookie year his production waned following a knee injury. Opposite, former general manager Dave Gettleman selected the suspected free-agent-to-be, Devin Funchess. While his development improved over time it never reached prime receiver option.
More recently Carolina took Curtis Samuel and last year, D.J. Moore with yet another first-round pick. Both have shown promise and Moore is expected to be a big piece of the offense next season, especially if Funchess doesn’t return – but would Carolina attempt to boost their offense by engaging Pittsburgh in a trade for superstar receiver Antonio Brown?
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According to SB Nation, the Panthers rank No. 27 in line for realistic teams who Brown may play for next year. Considering only the Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North rivals, Cleveland, Baltimore, Cincinnati and perennial powerhouse New England fall below Carolina – it doesn’t seem like a practical move.
Brown is a four time first team All Pro and has been nominated to the Pro Bowl during all but two of his nine seasons. His 11,207 career receiving yards are just 63 shy of every receiver Newton has had available to him since Smith left the Panthers – combined. Obviously, Carolina could use a receiver of his stature but the price and locker room issues are likely not worth the risk.
Instead, Hurney may try to land an available free agent receiver in place of Funchess or completely overhaul the position with another rookie. Either way, if Moore continues to emerge in addition to Samuel, Damiere Byrd and Torrey Smith making an impact, the Panthers offense should be improved on the outside.
Potential Offensive Line Targets. dark. Next
Click here to view the full list of realistic teams who could trade for Brown.