Cat Crave
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Carolina Panthers: NFL.com’s All-Under-25 Team features familiar face

By Danny Jaillet

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Ken Crawley #20 of the New Orleans Saints breaks up a pass intended for D.J. Moore #12 of the Carolina Panthers during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Ken Crawley #20 of the New Orleans Saints breaks up a pass intended for D.J. Moore #12 of the Carolina Panthers during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers should be expecting big things from this guy.

The Carolina Panthers may have hit the nail on the head in the 2018 NFL Draft when they selected a certain wide receiver out of Maryland. D.J. Moore became one of the biggest offensive weapons for the Carolina Panthers and now in his second year, he looks to do even more.

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Things have quieted down as we eagerly await the start of training camp. With camp itself still a little more than two months away, members of the media have begun rolling out their preseason accolades. One of the lists NFL.com likes to do every offseason is their All-Under-25 Team. This year, Moore was selected to the team. The writers made the right choice here as he is in a good position to become a key weapon for Carolina moving forward.

Just look at his statistics from last year. Catching 55 passes for 788 yards and averaging 14.3 yards per reception, there is no doubt that he was an explosive player. Paired with Curtis Samuel, the two should be able to form a dynamic duo in the Panthers offense. Their speed and quick feet should make life miserable for defenses for years to come. Of course, many people are also high on Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley.  NFL.com’s Marc Sessler kind of falls into that category.

"The rookie brought rugged traits to Carolina’s air attack, finishing second league-wide in missed tackles (17) and first in yards after the catch per reception (7.91) among wideouts with 40-plus grabs. Corners, safeties and cowed would-be tacklers learned that Moore delights in chaos, as the first-rounder led all receivers in yards after contact per reception (5.06), the mark of a formidable punch-for-punch pass-catcher anointed by Smith as his “spirit animal,” with Smith saying: “They have never been able to replace me. Until today.” Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley is equally deserving, but Moore is my choice today."

I am glad the Panthers have Moore. The Ridley-Moore comparisons will be going on for the rest of their careers. Both of them are extremely good wide receivers, but Moore fits better for the Carolina offense. Cam Newton has shown that he can get Moore the football and that’s all you really need to do. Get Moore the football, and let him go to work. Watching him with the ball in his hands is fascinating. Especially in one-on-one coverage, he finds ways to juke out the defenders and gain that extra yardage.

It’ll be interesting to see if he suffers a sophomore slump in his second year. My guess is that he will not. Especially with veteran Devin Funchess no longer in the picture, this will give Moore additional opportunities to get the football. Secondaries will certainly be busy this season and I am sure that is music to head coach Ron Rivera’s ears. The offense needs to make an impact this season, and it starts with Moore. If he can put up a 1,000-yard season, that should serve as a springboard and motivation to other members of the offense.

Next. Torrey Smith salary reduction benefits. dark

A full-functioning Carolina Panthers offense is bad news for the rest of the National Football League. If Carolina wants to make some noise next season, they need to be firing on all cylinders.

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