7 free-agent wide receivers the Carolina Panthers could sign in 2023

Carolina Panthers could sign Brandon Powell

Brandon Powell will be the least recognizable name on this list of free-agent wide receiver candidates for the Carolina Panthers. However, that doesn’t mean he’s the least recognizable to the coaches – specifically Thomas Brown.

Powell is a Swiss army knife type of player that Brown got familiar with as both were members of the Los Angeles Rams. An undrafted free agent originally signed by the Detroit Lions in 2018, the weapon spent the last two seasons in the California sunshine, racking up 24 receptions for 156 receiving yards and no touchdowns in 2022.

The wideout’s value as an NFL player has mostly been as a special teams contributor thus far in his career. Serving as the return man on punts and kickoffs, he’s returned 49 punts and 57 kickoffs through four seasons, including a 61-yard punt return touchdown in 2021.

He also saw the most work in offensive sets of his career in 2022. To go along with his 24 catches, Powell also rushed the ball 17 times for 80 rushing yards.

The Panthers have tried several combinations to fill that role without tremendous success. Raheem Blackshear and Laviska Shenault Jr. would currently hold those positions, one would assume, but Powell would project to immediately slide into the gig should he be signed.