Grading every Carolina Panthers signing of 2021 free agency so far
By Dean Jones
David Moore – Carolina Panthers WR
- Free-agent signing grade – A
Losing Curtis Samuel in free agency was a given once the salary-cap reduction was confirmed. Keeping stud right tackle Taylor Moton around was a much bigger priority and the wide receiver has now moved on to the Washington Football Team and a reunion with former head coach Ron Rivera.
The Carolina Panthers acted swiftly to bring in a replacement and at a fraction of the price it would have taken to keep Samuel around. David Moore brings a lot of the same traits in terms of being able to make a difference all over the field, so this is a good bit of business by general manager Scott Fitterer from his former employers at the Seattle Seahawks.
Moore will be used primarily out of the slot, one would suspect. But his skill set is exceptional and should offset the loss of Samuel in no uncertain terms.
Darius Clark – Carolina Panthers RB
- Free-agent signing grade – C
This is a pretty cool story where Darius Clark is concerned. The running back will get the chance to make the team after impressing at a HUB Football camp, which is held to give players on the scrapheap a chance to impress NFL coaches with a view to perhaps securing an opportunity in the pros.
Carolina does need a primary running back to slot behind Christian McCaffrey on the depth chart after Mike Davis signed for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. But it would be a huge shock if Clark ended up being that guy by the time training camp was over.