CHARLOTTE – The Panthers made an investment for the future Friday, with the reported trade up with the Bears to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft with the opportunity to find their quarterback of the future.
Carolina reportedly sent Chicago the ninth pick, their late second-round pick from the 49ers (61st overall), their 2024 first-rounder, and a 2025 second-rounder along with wide receiver D.J. Moore in the deal, leaving space open for a new WR1 in Charlotte.
Moore put up three 1,100-plus receiving yard seasons from 2019-21 and finished last season with a team-high 888 yards as the Panthers had three different starting quarterbacks through the year.
Now the Panthers have options to sift through when looking for the right pass catchers to pair with their new quarterback. They'll need to find a fill-in for Moore's productivity, and general manager Scott Fitterer had already mentioned finding another tight end as a priority.
Carolina retains the 39th overall pick early in the second round, so it's reasonable to think the Panthers' brass could use that selection on a pass catcher. There's also always free agency, and they could elect to pick someone with a proven track record to sharpen a rookie passer.
Here's a breakdown of where the Panthers stand and what they could do to bolster the receiving corps in the post-DJ Moore era.
Panthers roster status
A sliver of good news from last season is that wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. appeared to turn a corner and take on more of a WR2 role in his second year, putting up 490 yards on 28 catches in 2022. He came up with some long catches and some crafty plays from all three of Carolina's starting quarterbacks last season, averaging 17.5 yards per reception.
Carolina also returns Laviska Shenault Jr., a yards-after-catch threat acquired via trade last year from Jacksonville. He battled through injury for much of the year but finished with 272 yards on 27 catches, including a memorable 67-yard catch-and-run touchdown against the Saints in Week 3.
Shi Smith never fully reached the flashy potential he'd teased throughout the preseason, finishing the year with 296 yards and two touchdowns primarily out of the slot. The Panthers also have 6-foot-5 Preston Williams on the roster, though he only played two snaps in the last game of 2022 after signing with the practice squad from the Dolphins. They also bring back practice squaders C.J. Saunders and Derek Wright, who have shown the ability to get open in the preseason and during the week.
The Panthers could use some more pass-catching help at tight end, as no tight ends recorded more than 21 catches last season. Ian Thomas, praised for his blocking skills, finished the year with 197 yards, while Tommy Tremble added 174 on the season. Carolina re-signed depth pieces Giovanni Ricci and Stephen Sullivan ahead of the 2023 season.
Draftable receiver options
Should the Panthers choose to swing at a wide receiver with their second-round pick, they could have quite the wide selection of NFL-caliber talent still left for the taking at No. 39 overall.
Some of the top-rated wideouts, such as TCU's Quentin Johnston, USC's Jordan Addison, or Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, won't be there at 39, but this is a deep class at the position.
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Johnston showed all the necessary physical traits and his upside as a deep ball threat during three seasons at TCU. Addison, the top-rated wideout according to NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah, isn't the largest prospect on the board at 5-foot-11, 173 pounds. Still, he is shifty and reliable, with Jeremiah predicting he'll become a "high-volume pass catcher very early in his pro career."
Smith-Njigba was primarily a slot receiver throughout his time at Ohio State and is a 6-foot-1, 196-pound prospect with keen route-running abilities. Jeremiah compared Smith-Njigba's traits to the Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Zay Flowers, another wide receiver in Jeremiah's top 50, is a fast, smaller wideout, standing at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds. The Boston College product's speed and potential remind Jeremiah of the Cowboys' T.Y. Hilton.
Carolina could also find themselves in the market for some productive receivers with Carolina ties. Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt, an Irmo, South Carolina native, broke out in his junior year with the Vols as a quick, reliable option, as the 6-foot, 176-pound receiver finished the season with 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns.
From UNC, Josh Downs is an option the Panthers could consider as well. He's another option on the smaller side at 5-foot-9, 171 pounds, but he put up two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for the Tar Heels and could grow to become a reliable threat in the league.
Draft a tight end
The Panthers have made it clear they're looking at tight ends in the draft, and the class offers a variety of options with diverse skill sets to select from.
Utah's Dalton Kincaid would immediately bolster the pass-catching prowess at the position, as the 6-foot-4, 246-pound tight end is a talented route runner with explosive potential and put up nearly 900 receiving yards with eight touchdowns last year. Michael Mayer has been a consistent target for the past two seasons, putting up over 800 yards as a pass catcher for consecutive years. The 6-foot-4, 249-pound Notre Dame product also provided value as a run blocker.
There's depth at the position as well, with a number of potential contributors figuring to go in the second round and beyond.
Darnell Washington's physical prowess impressed at the combine last week, as the 6-foot-7, 264-pound prospect showed power and athleticism through drills in Indianapolis. The massive tight end flashed big-play potential at Georgia, playing a key role in the Bulldogs' two national championship runs as both a blocker and pass catcher.
Oregon State's Luke Musgrave is another option as a high-upside prospect with room to grow after an injury-marred 2022 season. At 6-foot-6, 253 pounds, Musgrave is a speed threat and a consistent ball catcher when healthy.
Pick up a free agent
The Panthers will likely be looking for another pass catcher in free agency, with several contracts hitting their expirations across the league.
Carolina could potentially consider some of the top unrestricted free agent tight ends, including Dalton Schultz or Mike Gesicki.
Schultz has been a valuable pass catcher with the Cowboys since 2018, putting up over 2,100 receiving yards on 211 receptions in five seasons. Gesicki has spent his career in Miami since the Dolphins drafted him with a second-round pick in 2018, and he's tallied more than 2,600 yards on 231 catches in his career.
At receiver, two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen was added to the pool of options after his release from Minnesota. Thielen, 32, has been consistently productive across his decade with the Vikings, totaling 55 career touchdowns and over 6,600 receiving yards.
Another choice for a receiver could be a reunion for new head coach Frank Reich, Parris Campbell. Selected by the Colts with a second-round pick in 2019, Campbell put up the best season of his career last year despite poor quarterback play, finishing the season with 623 yards on 63 catches in his first full season of action.
Jakobi Meyers is one of the top-performing wideouts available in free agency, as he has been a consistent receiver in New England for three seasons after the Patriots picked him up as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Last year, the 6-foot-2 Meyers put up 804 yards on 67 receptions, averaging 12 yards per catch.
DJ Chark will become a free agent after his one-year deal with the Lions expires. The 6-foot-4 wideout missed six games last season with an ankle injury but returned with a solid finish to the year, tallying 502 yards and three touchdowns on 30 catches in 2022. Chark was a Pro Bowler in 2019 with the Jaguars, who selected him with a second-round pick in 2018.
Other names coming up in free agency include Allen Lazard, the top option for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay last season; Mecole Hardman, who missed a chunk of his second Super Bowl season with the Chiefs this year; and JuJu Smith-Schuster, who totaled over 900 yards in his one-year deal at Kansas City.
Here's a look at some of the top quarterbacks in this year's class, including Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis.
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud plays against Oregon during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis rushes during an NCAA football game against Miami Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) runs through the end zone after rushing for a 45-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud looks for an open receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Maryland 66-17. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for a pickup of 9 yards against Texas A&M during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles away from Miami safety Gilbert Frierson (3) before throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Atlanta, in this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo. Young was selected to The Associated Press Midseason All-America team, announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks to pass while playing Indiana during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) runs the ball upfield during an NCAA college football game against New Mexico State in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) runs through an opening in the Louisville offense during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) works against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Young, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud are the finalists for the Heisman Trophy. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young holds the Heisman Trophy at an award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP, Pool)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) scrambles for yardage in front of Iowa defensive lineman Zach VanValkenburg (97) during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) rushes for a 45-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) rolls out to throw a pass from the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) looks for an open receiver during an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio) in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) scrambles for yardage in front of Utah defensive end Van Fillinger (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, right front, throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during a NCAA college football game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Youngstown State linebacker Alex Howard (3) chases down Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud looks to throw a pass against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud plays against Wisconsin during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
FILE - Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud plays against Rutgers during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Stroud was selected top offensive player in the Associated Press Big Ten Midseason Awards, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson scrambles for yardage against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a touchdown pass against Iowa during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) throws a pass as he is pressured by Georgia linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) throws to a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) pass down field against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) runs upfield during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) gestures to a teammate against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) looks for an open receiver during an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in College Park, Md. Ohio State won 43-30. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in College Park, Md. Ohio State won 43-30. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud looks for an open pass against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) scores a touchdown against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., on Nov. 12, 2022. In an age of "opt-outs" in college football, the best NFL prospects for Alabama and Kansas State are opting in at the Sugar Bowl, on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2022, including Young. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning, File)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw a pass against Kansas State during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Kansas State, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes against Georgia during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass against Kansas State during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis warms up before he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
