Panthers Named Among 'Best Fits' for WR DeAndre Hopkins

Could Carolina make a big splash in free agency?

The Carolina Panthers have spent a lot of time this offseason reconstructing its wide receiver room following the trade of DJ Moore. 

In the first wave of free agency, they inked Adam Thielen and DJ Chark and then brought back Damiere Byrd just a couple of weeks before the draft, where they took Jonathan Mingo in the second round.

From a depth standpoint, the Panthers appear to be in good shape. But they lack a proven No. 1 option at the position. This is where DeAndre Hopkins comes into play. The 30-year-old veteran was recently released by the Arizona Cardinals after the team failed to find a trade partner. Although it's more likely that Hopkins lands with a Super Bowl contender, there's a chance he may find Carolina an interesting place to go. 

NFL.com writer Nick Shook mentioned the Panthers as one of the seven best fits for Hopkins alongside the Bills, Chiefs, Cowboys, Lions, Ravens, and Texans.

"Logically, Hopkins probably doesn't want to play for a team that isn't a true threat to win a Super Bowl right now. But there's something enticing about playing with the No. 1 overall pick who happens to be a Heisman Trophy winner. Bryce Young's arrival should solve the Panthers' quarterback conundrum -- that's the hope, at least -- and Carolina could use a veteran who can fill the need for a No. 1 receiver.

"The Panthers also have plenty of cap space to work with, currently standing second with $27.3 million. Money wouldn't be an issue, and kicking in a few extra million to sweeten the pot makes sense when it comes to reeling in a big fish."

The Panthers have roughly $27 million available in cap space, according to Over the Cap.

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