Looking closer - the receivers

Steve Smith, Steve Smith, and Steve Smith have generally been the top three reads for Carolina quarterbacks the past couple seasons. With some new talent brought in through free agency, that could very well change.

Smitty of course returns as the playmaker of the receiving corps and go-to guy, but we all know about that. On the opposite side of the field however, likely starter D.J. Hackett will look to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season and demostrate his ability to the NFL. Hackett has loads of upside, but has missed 15 games with injuries over the past three seasons. While on the field, he brings natural hands, good routes, and surprising speed to the table. Carolina signed Hackett to a 2 year/$3.5 million deal, an extreme case of a low-risk/high-reward player. Likely to be behind Hackett and Smith is an old face in Mushin Muhammad. Moose signed a two-year deal to return to his original team, and should continue to be a devastating blocker at the receiver position. Moose also will be a guy to look for going over the middle and should help the Panthers move the chains more effectively.

Fourth on the depth chart is disappointing 2007 second-round pick Dwayne Jarret, who will look to establish himself as a threat if someone above him gets injured. Jarret appears to be on thin ice with the Panthers personnel, as he reportedly did not make an effort to learn the offense last season, and was arrested while driving under the influence not long ago. Fellow second-year man Ryne Robinson will probably be the last wideout to make the team, and also will serve as the primary return man.

At tight end, third-year pro Jeff King should continue to develop, making great strides last year to the tune of 16 starts, 46 receptions for 406 yards, and two touchdowns. He looks to be a solid starter. Dante Rosario, who showed great athleticism and the ability to stretch the middle of the field late last season, will be his backup. Look for the Panthers to take a blocking tight end somewhere in the last rounds of the draft.

Upgrading the wide receiver position with Moose and D.J. Hackett was huge, and the Panthers have two young tight ends who could combine to be a formidable tandem. I give the Panthers recievers a B+, mainly due to injury concerns.