5 reasons for Carolina Panthers fans to be optimistic through Week 5
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers have an elite WR in D.J. Moore
All the talk about the offensive line and Sam Darnold has taken some of the gloss away from an exceptional start to the season from D.J. Moore. The wide receiver came into the campaign on the back of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and seems to be striving for a completely different level in 2021.
Moore has all the talent in the world. His route running has also improved and the chemistry building with Darnold leaves more than enough reasons to be encouraged outside of last Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
What Darnold cannot do is force the ball to Moore. Something that’s come with interceptions thrown in the former first-round pick’s direction over the last two weeks.
That can hopefully improve in the coming weeks. But it’s hard to look at Moore’s production so far and think anything other than he’s entering the elite category of wideouts across the league.
Through five weeks, Moore’s brought in 35 receptions from 50 targets to record 440 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and a superb 83.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.
If Moore can keep this up throughout the season and Darnold gets additional assistance from his protection, then a first Pro Bowl appearance is well within his reach.