Cat Crave
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Carolina Panthers go in-house for potential kick returner

By Danny Jaillet

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 08: Greg Dortch #2 of the New York Jets celebrates his touchdown with teammates Charone Peake #17 and Ben Braden #69 in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 08: Greg Dortch #2 of the New York Jets celebrates his touchdown with teammates Charone Peake #17 and Ben Braden #69 in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers may have found a new kick returner.

Following the release of Ray-Ray MacLeod, the Carolina Panthers needed to pick up a new returner. They may have done that with the signing of Greg Dortch off the practice squad. He is a rookie returner who also doubles as a wide receiver. Saying that they didn’t have to look far for a potential return candidate is an understatement.

Dortch measures in at five-foot-seven, 175 pounds. He was an All-American kick returner and he had a good season for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 2018. He tallied 1,078 receiving yards  and eight touchdowns on 89 catches. He certainly has the good mix of speed and reliable hands.

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This is an intriguing move by the Carolina Panthers. I see Dortch as a player that will exclusively handle returning duties. The Carolina Panthers do not really need a wide receiver. They have a ton of depth at the position and a bunch of capable veterans. He may be able to get in some receiving work occasionally, but I see him primarily as being the returner. In a day where offense is king, being solely a kick returner is certainly not a bad thing. His duty is maybe one of the most underrated yet important work on the field.

It remains to be seen exactly where he fits in. I do see him having a role on this team, and I do see him contributing. I don’t see him having a ton of time on the field, but I do see him being successful. This is a player that excelled well at the collegiate level, and his skills should be able to translate to the National Football League.

It will be interesting to see what he does, and if he is able to serve multiple roles for the Carolina Panthers. Right now, they are in a position where they can experiment every possible option that is available to them. Especially at the wide receiver position, the surplus of depth makes this possible. As the Carolina Panthers have shown this season, it has been the unheralded players who have made the biggest impact so far.

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