6 wide receivers the Carolina Panthers must consider in 2022 free agency

Carolina Panthers must consider Christian Kirk

2021 stats (Arizona Cardinals):

• 77 receptions
• 982 receiving yards
• 5 touchdowns

Christian Kirk may not exactly fit the theme of this article but I had to include the slot expert on this list simply from a skill perspective alone. He would solve an interesting problem that has developed for the Carolina Panthers over the last couple of seasons.

What is the single biggest issue for the team the last couple of years aside from the offensive line?

Christian McCaffrey’s durability.

What would help with that?

Someone to take that load.

McCaffrey is essentially two players rolled into one. While the team found half of the solution in rookie Chuba Hubbard, there still lies the issue of how to replace his receiving capability.

Kirk is essentially what McCaffrey is as a receiver – the wiry guy on the outside that no one can cover and has incredibly sure hands on inside routes. The kinds of things that linebackers have nightmares over.

This is exactly the opposite of what I said the Panthers needed and believe the team should pursue. However, this team also needs to plan for McCaffrey not being around and Kirk could be an integral part of this.

A 75 percent catch rate and almost 1,000 yards out of the slot are truly impressive and there were moments that Kirk looked completely unguardable in 2021. This would be very welcome on a team that struggled to find separation outside of D.J. Moore all season.

This would be the ultimate “speed kills” lineup should the Panthers go in this direction. It would be incredibly interesting to see how things work out.