Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore adds new life to passing attack
The Carolina Panthers picked up a potential threat in the passing attack with their first selection of D.J. Moore in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The 2018 NFL Draft is live and underway. Fans, media and players alike are watching with baited breath to see who their newest teammates will be when they walk across the stage. The Carolina Panthers came into the draft with very specific needs and got off to a good start by selecting D.J. Moore with the 24th pick of the first round. Looking at this selection against what this team needs, it was a positive step to start off the draft.
The Panthers have long needed a big play wide receiver that the team could trust down after down. Kelvin Benjamin looked like the man to fill that void, but injuries and declining production led to his trade in 2017. The selection of Moore brings in a player that can be developed into the prime option for Cam Newton in the near future.
Looking at Moore’s production the trend throughout college fits the bill of a player that advances from role to primary threat. He has both the speed and size that Carolina can use to place him all across the field; masking not only Moore, but other options in the offense at the same time.
Moore had a strong average yards per reception in college as he has the ability to move the ball after the catch with his physical running style. Maryland even used him in both the return and running game, and knowing how much the Panthers like to use their receivers as run threats, Moore fits into that mold.
Selecting Moore set the tone for how the Panthers moved their way through the draft. It allowed them to focus their efforts on the defense with some focus on offensive depth after addressing their biggest need with their most premium selection.
But Moore is an addition to the offensive passing attack that this team needs. His ability to be a physical player is something that missing from the games of Devin Funchess, Damiere Byrd and the other receivers in this group. Even former Panther and current analyst, Steve Smith, compared Moore’s playstyle to his own and tabbed him as a player that may be able to bring that same type of attack to the Panther’s passing game.
Next: NFL Power Rankings 2018: Post-draft edition
During the 2017 season, the Carolina Panthers offense stalled out multiple times. An inability to move the ball through the air limited everything that the team does as an offense. Adding to the passing attack was a goal for the 2018 NFL Draft and selecting D.J. Moore from Maryland with their first choice is a step in finding the solution to help the team move in the right direction.