After finishing 29th in passing last season, the Carolina Panthers have completely overhauled their offense heading into 2023. Head coach Frank Reich brings his Super Bowl-winning expertise, No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is under center, and nearly the entire wide receiver room looks different.
Of the expected top four targets, DJ Chark, Adam Thielen, Terrace Marshall Jr., and Jonathan Mingo, only Marshall was in Carolina last season. Of the returning receivers, Marshall led the way with 28 receptions and 490 receiving yards, which means there are a lot of targets up for grabs.
Despite adding two Pro Bowl receivers in Chark and Thielen and adding Mingo in the second round, the Panthers may not be done rearranging their receiver depth chart.
According to Sal Paolantonio, the Panthers are “lurking” regarding the DeAndre Hopkins free agency market. Hopkins, 31, has been searching for a new team since being let go by the Arizona Cardinals following three seasons, the last two impacted by injuries and his six-game PED suspension.
As a three-time All-Pro, Hopkins hasn’t found the market he may have expected after once being recognized as one of the top receivers in football. But he hasn’t made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team since 2020, and teams may be hesitant to pay his desired rate.
Despite plenty of suggestions tying Hopkins to the Browns, Patriots, or other teams, the 6-foot-1 receiver still hasn’t found the right fit. With NFL training camps right around the corner, we could see his market heat up soon.