5 winners and losers from Panthers trade for Sam Darnold
By Dean Jones
D.J. Moore – Carolina Panthers WR
Considering the significant chemistry issues between D.J. Moore and Teddy Bridgewater at times in 2020, the wide receiver did remarkably well to put up another 1,000-yard season. The former first-round pick is one of the NFL’s most underrated wideouts and he will now get the chance to make even more of an impact with a new signal-caller in Sam Darnold.
Moore will surely have his fifth-year option picked up way ahead of the deadline, as will Darnold. But if he can take another leap forward and enter the truly elite category in 2021 it will see a bumper payday coming his way in the not-too-distant future.
Having Bridgewater around would have complicated matters for Moore, who did have some timing issues with a quarterback who clearly had a preference for throwing to Robby Anderson rather than Carolina’s No. 1 option.
Bridgewater was intercepted a staggering nine times when throwing in Moore’s direction in 2020, which is a damning indictment of their lack of cohesion at times.
Darnold also comes with some big question marks and it would be foolish to suggest otherwise. But his upside is far greater than the player he is replacing and means nothing but good things for Moore moving forward if the pair hit it off from the word go.