Carolina Panthers: Adding Torrey Smith is a calculated move

The Carolina Panthers need to make changes in their passing game and adding Torrey Smith is the first step in the solution.

The Carolina Panthers needed to make changes within their core of wide receivers. It was clear the team was headed in a new direction when Kelvin Benjamin was traded in October. The Panthers made another move last week when veteran Torrey Smith was brought in via a trade with the NFL Champion, Philadelphia Eagles. This is an intriguing addition to the team at a time when they are looking to rebuild the weapons around Cam Newton.

The news of the trade brought tepid praise across the NFL media. In order to acquire Smith the Panthers parted ways with Daryl Worley; a cornerback they picked in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. While Worley played well, he wasn’t the impact player that the organization needed within the defensive secondary. In fact, the Eagles passing game torched Worley when the teams met in 2017.

This move brings both experience and a deep-ball threat to the Panthers at a time when they need it the most. Carolina has a young group of receivers and Smith immediately becomes the oldest in the group. With that age comes a wealth of important experience.

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While he’s never a “major” part of the Eagles offense, he was a strong contributor. For example, he ended 2017 with 36 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns.

Smith helps bring back the speed that was loss when the Panthers didn’t re-sign Ted Ginn. Ginn’s ability to get down the field opened up a lot of play opportunities when the Panthers reached Super Bowl 50. The team hoped Curtis Samuel would help fulfill those duties but that was not the case. Smith averaged 11.9 yards per reception, but he’s shown in previous seasons that he can exceed those expectations. With Devin Funchess, Greg Olsen and Christian McCaffrey all viable threats in the offense, it will be intriguing to see if Smith can revert back to form.

The question still hangs over the Panthers as to how they expect to utilize this group of receivers. Funchess had some strong growth towards the end of the year, as he excelled once Benjamin was traded. However, Carolina never had the full battery of weapons to make them a multi-pronged attack; limiting their options, especially in the post season.

This move helps the Panthers avoid having to select a wide receiver with their 24th pick in this year’s NFL Draft. That’s a very risky move and there are other needs, such as linemen on both sides of the ball that are more pressing at this time. However, expect Carolina to pick up at least one wide receiver at some point during the draft. There’s also an opportunity that the organization can find another receiver through there aren’t many big name receivers available.

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Expect Carolina to make a wide variety of changes to their receiving core before the 2018 season begins. This was an area that was surprisingly weak in 2017 and has the potential for a lot of growth. Bringing in Torrey Smith isn’t the be-all, end-all, but it’s a step in the right direction for an organization that needed change.

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Carolina Panthers: Adding Torrey Smith a calculated move

By Raphael Garcia | Mar 12, 2018

The Carolina Panthers need to make changes in their passing game and adding Torrey Smith is the first step in the solution.