7 free-agent wide receivers the Carolina Panthers could sign in 2023
By Ricky Raines
Carolina Panthers could sign D.J. Chark
Adding another D.J. to the receiver room? I wouldn’t hate it.
D.J. Chark has experienced a wide range of output so far in his professional career. A former second-round pick in 2018 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2019 en route to 73 receptions for 1,008 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Missing a handful of games due to injuries, he dropped back a bit in 2020 with a 53-706-5 stat line. Chark then suffered a season-ending ankle fracture in 2021 after just four games.
He signed with the Detroit Lions prior to the 2022 season and turned in a decent campaign, albeit through injuries again. Chark concluded the campaign with 30 catches for 502 receiving yards and three scores.
At 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, Chark provides a different threat to an offense, as more of a vertical big-play receiver, supported by his career average of 14.4 yards per reception. Speed is something that an opposing defense just cannot ignore when trying to gameplan.
With his speed and big play capabilities, Chark would be an interesting fit in Frank Reich and Thomas Brown’s offense. With an estimated market value of $9.5 million per year, the Carolina Panthers could explore that fit this off-season.