Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore ranks amongst most important rookies

The Carolina Panthers have made a concerted effort to provide Cam Newton with the necessary firepower by selecting D.J. Moore at the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Carolina Panthers entered the 2018 NFL offseason with a desperate need to find help for Cam Newton. That process took a hit when All-Pro offensive guard Andrew Norwell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the opportunity remained for the organization to make a splash.

The Panthers did exactly that at the 2018 NFL Draft by shoring up the defense and selecting one of the most explosive playmakers in this class.

Fourth-round draft pick Ian Thomas projects to be a solid fit opposite Greg Olsen, which should be music to Newton’s ears. Having tight ends who can make plays as receivers and set the tone in practice as revered workhorses is an undeniable advantage.

It was in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, however, that the Panthers found their explosive playmaker: Maryland Terrapins wide receiver D.J. Moore.

Some were surprised to see Carolina select a wide receiver so early, but it’s worth noting that Newton himself thanked Ron Rivera for making the pick.

Carolina entered the draft with a receiving corps that was built around Olsen, an All-Pro tight end, and a somewhat polarizing duo of Devin Funchess and Torrey Smith. Funchess and Smith have their value at wide receiver, but Carolina simply needed more.

Christian McCaffrey helps through the air, but he was the only member of the Panthers who produced at least 300 yards after the catch in 2017.

Funchess came close with 284, but with only one wide receiver who could be trusted for YAC, the offense inevitably stalled.

With Moore, Newton has a player who forced 20 missed tackles in 2017—tied for the most in this class. He has the explosiveness to pick up yardage via screen plays, the hands and toughness for crossing patterns, and the crisp route running to catch a defense off-guard.

Moore is even an adequate option on deep throws, although his true value is going to be in the way he can line up all over the field and consistently move the chains.

After the Carolina Panthers ranked No. 24 in the NFL in first downs via passes in 2017, that alone makes Moore one of the most important rookies in this class.

Furthermore, Carolina ranked No. 18 in the NFL in passing touchdowns and No. 19 in yards per punt return. Moore can help in both areas, as he proved productive as a situational punt returner in 2017 and has a knack for finding seams in a defense in the red zone.

Even if Moore only moves the chains for the Panthers, simply giving Newton a player whom he can trust on short and intermediate throws would be progress.

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With Devin Funchess, Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Greg Olsen, Torrey Smith, and Ian Thomas, the Carolina Panthers have given Cam Newton the tools for a high-powered offense.