Carolina Panthers: Taking a deeper look at WR potential in 2020
By Josh Linares
Carolina Panthers WR Preview: Pharoh Cooper and Omar Bayless
The Carolina Panthers didn’t stop after adding Robby Anderson and Seth Roberts. They went out and signed return specialist Pharoh Cooper and Arkansas State star Omar Bayless. These are players that still have a lot to prove but have the potential to be great contributors.
Cooper has spent most of his career bouncing from team to team. Despite the constant change of scenery, he has made a name for himself.
In 2017 as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Cooper had 34 kick returns for 932 yards and returned one of them for a touchdown. Early on in his career he was mainly a return man. But last season he got an opportunity to play receiver a lot more.
Cooper spent 2019 with the Arizona Cardinals. Instead of being just a return man, they took advantage of the player’s freakish speed.
He finished the season with 25 receptions for 243 yards and one touchdown. Cooper didn’t put up amazing numbers but he showed he has the ability to be more of a contributor on offense.
On top of adding a speedy receiver in Cooper, the Panthers also added Arkansas State’s all-time touchdown reception leader in Bayless. And he has the potential to be an amazing receiver.
In his senior season, Bayless finished with an insane 93 receptions for 1,653 yards and 17 touchdowns. He went undrafted, but the Panthers were quick to pick him up soon after.
Bayless will be able to learn from D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel who have very similar playing styles. They are smaller, quicker receivers who are great open field runners.
The undrafted rookie is the same and if they can teach him how they get it done. The Panthers may have found a hidden gem.
With all of these receivers who can come in and make an impact, the Panthers offense should put up a lot of points. Moore is heading into his third campaign and is ready to make his first Pro Bowl. And every receiver on the roster has something to prove this season along with their quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
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This offense is a must watch. And it will show us what we have to look forward to in the next few seasons.