In 2019, that group looks quite different. Carolina has finally added a plethora of offensive playmakers. 2017 no. 8 overall pick Christian McCaffrey has blossomed into one of the best running backs in football and finished third in yards from scrimmage (1,965) in 2018. The team used the no. 24 pick on Maryland wide receiver D.J. Moore in 2018, who was second on the team to McCaffrey in targets, receptions, and receiving yards as a rookie. The team also drafted versatile Ohio State receiver Curtis Samuel no. 40 overall in 2017. Samuel’s second year was disrupted by surgery to
correct an irregular heartbeat in September, and he had improved mightily toward the end of the 2018 season. Tackle Taylor Moton, drafted in the second round of 2017, was one of the best pass blocking tackles in football last year and a vast improvement over the recently released Matt Kalil, or as New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan calls him, “
Speedbump McGee.”
The Panthers added to their makeover this offseason by signing receiver Chris Hogan, exercising the 2019 option for Torrey Smith, and then helping out the defense with pass rusher Bruce Irvin in free agency (plus defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who signed a one-year deal with Carolina on Monday). The team also drafted Florida State pass rusher Brian Burns in the first round and Ole Miss offensive tackle Greg Little in the second round, but it was Carolina’s third-rounder that drew attention: West Virginia quarterback Will Grier. Grier’s arrival is less of an indictment of Newton’s health and more of a statement on Carolina’s inability to find an adequate backup quarterback in free agency (plus with Grier’s skill set and positional value, he was a worthwhile pick for any team in the late third round). Grier is not a threat to take Newton’s job unless Superman’s shoulder flares up again.
www.cbssports.com
