DJ Moore Is the New No. 1 Receiver

Devin Funchess remains the No. 1 wide receiver on the Panthers’ depth chart, but rookie DJ Moore has been playing like the team’s top receiver as of late. The 21-year-old has started each of the last four games, with Sunday’s performance marking the best of his career.

Not only did Moore record a career-high seven receptions, but he also finished with a career-best 157 receiving yards. He was also targeted a career-high eight times against Detroit, with his top play coming on this 82-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm_fRKFC5tM

Given how badly Funchess struggled against the Lions, Moore’s outing was an even bigger welcome sight for the Panthers. He now has 30 catches for 474 yards and two TDs, with one of those scores coming on an 8-yard pass from Newton late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game.

Moore was compared to former Panthers receiver Steve Smith after the team selected him in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, and he finally seems to be living up to those comparisons. He’s also a huge threat in the running game, where he has eight carries for 122 yards.

In addition to establishing himself as one of the league’s most explosive players, Moore has also seemingly established himself as Carolina’s No. 1 receiver. And to be honest, Funchess may not even be the Panthers’ second-best receiver right now. Second-year wideout Curtis Samuel has also been playing well lately, as he had five catches for 55 yards and a TD on Sunday.

Moore almost single-handedly cost the Panthers a game against the Redskins earlier this season when he lost two fumbles. But those struggles seem to be far behind him as he continues to get better and better every week.

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