Fierce competition expected among Carolina Panthers wide receivers
The Carolina Panthers receivers will be an exciting group to watch during the preseason.
Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney has transformed the wide receiver position since taking over as an interim in July 2017 after Dave Gettleman was fired. The move from big bodied outside receivers to more dynamic route runners and those with an ability to create plays after the catch was apparent.
In just under two years Hurney has parted ways with former first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin and second-round selection Devin Funchess. He’s also chosen a receiver in both drafts since taking over, including another first-round pick used on D.J. Moore prior to last season.
The new look unit also includes the additions of veterans Jarius Wright, Torrey Smith, Aldrick Robinson and Chris Hogan since Hurney has been in charge. This group joins a relatively inexperienced bunch with a high ceiling but determining the mix to incorporate on the final roster will force coaches to make some tough decisions.
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Rookies Terry Godwin (Round No. 7) and Damion Jeanpiere (undrafted) each have promise but breaking onto the active roster will be a difficult task. Moore and Curtis Samuel are returning, in addition to a few other new faces who have something to prove – DeAndrew White, Rashad Ross and Andre Levrone.
Overall there are currently 11 candidates for what figures to be six positions. In each of the Panthers last three seasons they have left training camp with this number of receivers on the roster. While the absence of a typical “big name” receiver is something those outside of Carolina may scoff at, fans need simply to remember 2015 in order to be confident.
That year represents the last time Carolina left Spartanburg with only five receivers – Ted Ginn Jr., Kevin Norwood, Corey ‘Philly’ Brown, Jerricho Crotchery and Funchess. It also happens to be when the Panthers put together a 15-1 regular season in route to the Super Bowl and quarterback Cam Newton winning the league MVP award.
dark. Next. McCoy Press Conference Takeaways
Predicting the final five or six is challenging but it’s a safe bet the competition will be fierce and that not having a “big name” shouldn’t hurt the Panthers.