The Carolina Panthers need to add another wide receiver to help their passing game flourish in 2018.
Just like every team heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers need to answer key questions. Looking at the roster there’s a gap to fill in both the wide receiver and defensive end position. With an offense that finds itself devoid of a playmaker in the passing game, the Panthers should look at picking up a wide receiver early in the draft or through free agency.
Carolina’s passing game is lacking a big name threat. Christian McCaffrey led the team in receptions with 80. Devin Funchess, who was elevated to the top receiver on the team when Kelvin Benjamin was traded in October, ended the year with 63 catches of his own. Even with Benjamin on the roster, many questioned whether or not the Panthers had a true star that could catch the ball. This was especially true when Greg Olsen went down to injury this year.
With the 24th pick in the first round, it will be interesting to see if Carolina makes the move to pick up a wide receiver to support Cam Newton. The 2018 NFL Draft has some intriguing players that could be a potential solution for the Panthers.
James Washington is a name that has leapt off of the page to many making draft predictions. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has the Oklahoma State player listed as the 10th best receiver in the draft this year. His last three seasons with Oklahoma State all produced strong numbers as he ended each with more than 1,000 yards receiving and at least ten touchdowns. He’s a big target with the frame to grow which helps him compete with physical defenses. Plus, he can stretch the field which complements how Funchess, Olsen and McCaffrey are all used in the passing game.
Washington may not be the immediate impact player to fill the void, but the free agent listing is also lacing a big name receiver. There are a few players available that have excelled in support roles, such as Danny Amendola and Terrelle Pryor, but there aren’t any that stand out as long term solutions for any team looking to add an impact receiver. Carolina is expecting Funchess to develop into that role, but there’s a need to add depth across the passing attack.
The Panthers have approximately $15 million available in cap space. That money will come into play when restructuring a few key contracts for Funchess and potentially Julius Peppers, but some of those funds can be used to pick up a player for the receiving game.
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Regardless of the route that’s taken to fix this issue in the offense, there’s a need for the Carolina Panthers to find an option to bolster this passing game. The draft and free agency offer variable paths to finding the right answer, but it’s clear that the organization needs to fill a need to help this offense get over the stagnant hump that hindered performance at key points last season.