The Panthers WR Corps Could Still Use Some Help
In this story:
After trading DJ Moore away, the Panthers did a nice job in free agency replenishing the wide receiver room with the signings of Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, and Damiere Byrd, and then in the draft with the selection of Jonathan Mingo.
It's not the best group of receivers by any means but it's a collection of talent that gives rookie quarterback Bryce Young something to work with.
The big problem with the room is there are a lot of question marks. Can Terrace Marshall Jr. make that jump to being a No. 1 option? Can DJ Chark stay healthy? Did Adam Thielen already lose a step? Is Jonathan Mingo an impact player as a rookie? And can Laviska Shenault do more than just catch bubble screens and swing passes?
Even wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson admitted that there's a lot of work to do with this group during his press conference last week.
"We are a group that's under construction right now. That means everybody. We're under construction," Jefferson said. "We're trying to get the offense implemented, so we're in the building process -- the land-clearing process phase here. Everybody right now is in learning mode and trying to get used to what we want them to do. We're finding out what guys can do. It's part of our job as coaches to put it out there and see what these guys can do, then we can start building the blocks of how we want them, plug them in where we want them to be, and where they fit best according to their talent skillset."
As much as Scott Fitterer would like to add to the position group, there are not really many quality options remaining in free agency and it feels like Carolina will roll with what they got. Next offseason, the Panthers will have some money to spend and you can bet they'll be looking to make some upgrades at receiver unless Chark puts up big numbers and Mingo is a hit in year one.
You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on Twitter:
Facebook - @PanthersOnSI
Twitter - @AllPanthers_ and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_
