Finding Panthers: Wide Receiver Free Agent Targets

Free agents to follow as the negotiating period nears.

It's no secret that the Carolina Panthers are desperate for help at wide receiver. Outside of Adam Thielen, Carolina struggled to find consistent production through the air. There will be numerous options available for Carolina to add young receiver talent in April's NFL Draft, but free agency will be the team's first shot to bolster the receiver room. 

Who are some options for Carolina to sign in free agency? Let's take a look.

The Big Fish

Tee Higgins (Bengals), Michael Pittman (Colts), Mike Evans (Buccaneers)

If Carolina could swing a deal for any of these three, it would be a coup. All three of these receivers are elite in their own way, and each would provide the true number-one wide receiver Panthers fans have been begging for. 

However, signing one of these three studs is unlikely. Cincinnati is likely going to place the franchise tag on Tee Higgins. The Clemson product lines up opposite Jamaar Chase and provides Joe Burrow with a true X-receiver. A big-bodied ball-winner that turns 50/50 balls to 60/40 in favor of the offense. The Bengals are in their championship window and giving up a valuable receiver in Higgins probably won't happen.

Pittman is in a similar situation. The Colts drafted Anthony Richardson last year and it would be silly to let his number one receiver walk. Indianapolis has oodles of cap space and re-signing Pittman should be priority number one for the ascending franchise.

Evans would be the most likely of the three to make a move to Carolina. He has a rapport with new head coach Dave Canales, and Tampa Bay may be looking to move on to some younger options at wide receiver. Like Higgins, Evans is an elite ball-winner who would provide Bryce Young with a vertical threat that he lacked in year one. Evans doesn't fit Carolina's contending timeline, but the help he would provide Young in his sophomore season is invaluable. 

The Medium Fish

Calvin Ridley (Jaguars)

Ridley sits in a tier of his own. His contractual situation is fascinating. Jacksonville owes Atlanta (Ridley's former team) a second-round pick if the two sides agree on a contract extension this offseason. Does that fact outweigh Ridley's production in his lone season in Duval? If it does, the mercurial wideout will be on the market.

Ridley, 29, is in the prime of his career. Even after missing more than a season and a half due to a gambling suspension, the former Falcon returned in 2023 and had a super productive season as Jacksonville's number-one target. Ridley separates versus man coverage with the best of them, and even though he lacks as a vertical threat, his ability in the 10-20 yard range would be a boon for Carolina's weak receiving options. 

The Small Fish

Gabe Davis (Bills), Darnell Mooney (Bears)

These players fit together for numerous reasons. They'll demand similar contracts, they win on vertical routes, and they will likely be looking to take a leap in targets and volume going forward. 

Davis has always been overshadowed by superstar Stefon Diggs. While he's never been the alpha in Buffalo, his talent has flashed time and time again. Never more than his four touchdown masterpiece against Kansas City in the 2022 Divisional Playoff. While he lacks in technicality in his route-running, he makes up for it with vertical speed and downfield separation. His inability to separate in the intermediate areas leads to inconsistent production, but his skill set is still an asset for the right team.

Mooney's situation is similar but different. His inability to receive an alpha-like target share is due to Chicago's low-volume passing offense. He burst onto the scene in 2021 with a 1000-yard season on 81 catches, but injuries and anemic quarterback play have hindered his production. Mooney is a cheaper option that carries high potential wherever he lands this offseason. 

The Minnows

Curtis Samuel (Commanders), Kendrick Bourne (Patriots), D.J. Chark (Panthers), Josh Reynolds (Lions), KJ Osborn (Vikings), Cedrick Wilson (Dolphins), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Lions)

None of these players are truly needle-movers. If Carolina signs one of these players, they will come in as depth pieces vying for playing time behind a marquee free agent or a draft pick. 

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