In what ways can new wide receiver David Moore help the Carolina Panthers in 2021 after arriving in free agency from the Seattle Seahawks?
The Carolina Panthers moved quickly to replace outgoing wide receiver Curtis Samuel this week. This was an expected departure for Samuel, who reunites with former head coach Ron Rivera at the Washington Football Team after getting the sort of financial commitment his previous employers simply couldn’t match in the current landscape.
It’s clear that the Panthers envisaged the loss of the 2017 second-round pick judging by how quickly they brought in a replacement. Carolina secured the services of David Moore on a bargain basement deal that consists of just $1.5 million guaranteed over two years.
Considering the sort of skill set Moore brings to the table, this is a great bit of business from general manager Scott Fitterer, who knows more about the player than most from their time working together at the Seattle Seahawks.
Losing someone with the dynamic ability Samuel brings to the table won’t be easy to replace. But Moore has a lot of the same traits that should make a big difference providing his transition to a different environment is a smooth one.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at three ways Moore can make his presence felt from the word go in Carolina.
Way No. 1
Running out of the backfield
David Moore can help when needed when it comes to carrying the ball out of the backfield. The Carolina Panthers have lost this element from a wide receiver with Curtis Samuel’s departure, so it could be a tremendous asset to call upon throughout the campaign.
Although Moore accumulated just 12 carries during his time with the Seahawks, his 7.6 yards-per-carry average is exceptional. With the Panthers looking to take some of the pressure from Christian McCaffrey’s shoulders to prevent any further injury complications moving forward, utilizing the former seventh-round selection in this manner wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.
At the very least, it gives offensive coordinator Joe Brady the same sort of dynamic player he managed to put to great use last season with Samuel on his way to a career year from the wideout.
Gaining hard yards across the middle
One area where the Carolina Panthers got some incredible production from Curtis Samuel in 2020 was from the slot. He was an incredibly dependable weapon over short to intermediate routes, with his assured catching ability becoming a favorite target of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s on third down.
These are big shoes to fill. But David Moore looks to be the perfect replacement in this regard.
Like Samuel, his hand skills are eye-catching, and made some substantial strides last time out. Moore collected 74.5 percent of balls thrown his way on his way to 18 first downs from just 35 receptions.
There is every chance that even more could still come from the East Central Oklahoma product with more in the way of targets, with Russell Wilson gaining a 140.7 passer rating for the distribution in Moore’s direction in 2020.
Moore has the ability to get open quickly and is extremely strong when it comes to staying upright. This makes him a force to be reckoned with in contested catches and if he makes the necessary strides forward, the Panthers will have a player of real promise on their hands.
Putting Moore on a passing attack that includes D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, Christian McCaffrey, and fellow free-agent signing Dan Arnold should provide plenty of opportunities. But it’s vital the receiver makes the most of them.
Another big-play weapon for the Carolina Panthers
One just has to look at the outstanding film on David Moore to see that he is a big play waiting to happen. Russell Wilson went to the wide receiver plenty in critical moments all over the field and – more often than not – he came up with the goods.
This can only mean good things for the Carolina Panthers, who already boast one of the NFL’s best wideout tandems on the outside in D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson. The duo both went over 1,000 yards receiving last time out despite the inconsistent production from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and there are big stakes for both in pursuit of new deals next season.
Much will depend on just who is under center for the Panthers in 2021. But whoever it is, they’ll need to maximize Moore’s ability to produce big gains.
His six touchdowns last season also demonstrate his nous for getting in the end-zone when the player’s name is called. This earned Moore a creditable 67.7 grade from Pro Football Focus as a result of his efforts.
Bridgewater’s lack of conviction in getting the ball downfield quickly was there for all to see and is one of the main reasons Carolina is looking in a different direction. If things improve in this particular statistic, then the new trio of wideouts Joe Brady has at his disposal is going to be a revelation.
Panthers 2021 Draft: 7-round mock after first week of free agency
Will the Carolina Panthers approach the 2021 NFL Draft differently following their first few signings in free agency during a busy week across the league?
Moore is a low-risk, high reward pickup by the Panthers at a minimal cost. He comes into the organization with a substantial opportunity to make a bigger name for himself and there is every confidence he can do just that.