News » Panthers 2018 season opener countdown: 12

days to go With 12 days to go until the Panthers open the 2018 season at home against the Cowboys we are here to discuss No. 12 Ryan Kalil Jersey 2019 , the Panthers rookie wide receiver D.J. Moore. D.J. Moore, Wide receiverHeight: 5’ 11”Weight: 215 lbsAge: 21Experience: RookieCollege: MarylandMoore was the first wide receiver drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, a draft that wasn’t very deep at the position but the Panthers feel they got the cream of the crop. Moore has proven to be a decent route runner, good hands and is best after the catch. We’ve seen that already.Here’s a look at every play that went Moore’s way in the Panthers opening preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. His stat line was pretty good.His stat line at the end of the game: four receptions, 75 yards.While I think he has a ton of potential he has actually been out shined in his quest for the No. 2 wide receiver role. Second year receiver Curtis Samuel has actually played better this preseason, showing great hands, speed and run after the catch ability too. It’s a tough call between the two and even harder when you see Jarius Wright is playing well too. Regardless of his slot on the depth chart to start the season you can expect Moore to see some targets in Week 1 and beyond. I’m excited to see what this rookie will do. The 2018 Panthers are bad. We know this now. Sitting at 6-9 after a 6-2 start 2019 Trai Turner Jersey , it is clear that they need work. And there are many issues that we’ve seen or worried about that finally reared their ugly head on Sunday.The Panthers need to invest in a backup quarterback. I enjoyed the toughness Taylor Heinicke showed following his elbow injury, and I think his story is great. However, winning in the NFL isn’t about being a great guy with a nice story. The Panthers were spoiled with Derek Anderson, and even Joe Webb as a do it all guy who also had starting quarterback experience. I applaud the efforts of Heinicke and Kyle Allen, but in 2019 they need a better answer, especially with Newton facing shoulder issues and an uncertain recovery time. That is my first priority on my Ron Rivera letter to Santa.My second priority is a left tackle. Matt Kalil could be that guy, but as a GM I wouldn’t bet on that. Tackles signed off the streets like Chris Clark or guys who were about to be cut like Marshall Newhouse are not viable 16 game options. The Panthers were in position to score way more than 10 points on Sunday but their glaring issue at LT cause Heinicke to get beat up worse than many games we’ve seen Cam Newton play. Taylor Moton might be that guy Blue Trai Turner Jersey , but then you need a right tackle, especially since Daryl Williams is likely gonna get a fat paycheck as a free agent in 2019. They need to invest in the offensive line, and not just for Cam Newton’s sake.This team still has many pieces to be optimistic about. Ian Thomas looked great for his second straight week, Curtis Samuel caught seven passes, and Christian McCaffery cemented himself in NFL history in his SECOND season as the runningback with the most catches in a single year. James Bradberry looked like an elite corner, the linebackers are still amazing, and the defensive line had some bright spots.This team really isn’t that far off from being a contender Blue Jarius Wright Jersey , but issues like the offensive line, pass rush, and backup quarterback were problems we walked into 2018 seeing. Guess what? They still are. Strategic investment and finding a solution for two of those three problems sees the Panthers being more than competitive. Thankfully David Tepper knows how to invest. He just needs to evaluate the coaching and personnel around him. This team is better than 6-9, and they can be WAY better if you address these issues. It isn’t that hard, but they cannot continue to go without some attention. This is the NFL, and windows close quickly.