Panthers Suddenly Deep at WR

It seems most of the buzz at the Carolina Panthers recent mini-camp centers on a WR named Carter. I’m not talking about the departed Drew Carter but instead 2^nd year player Jason Carter .

Receiver Jason Carter was a dazzler during practices. He's quick, elusive and made a nifty one-handed catch on the run that had even the veterans cheering.

Carter was undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2006, partly because of his lack of outstanding speed (4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash). But he sure seems to have everything else.

I had a blurb on him myself in my mini-camp article round-up.

On the surface it seems almost impossible for Carter to make the team. We have our top three well set with Steve Smith, Musin Muhammad and DJ Hackett. Ryne Robinson should most likely take a spot as the punt returner and therefore the fourth WR spot. That leaves the enigma Dwayne Jarrett, last year’s 2^nd round pick and Jason Carter to potentially battle for the final spot.

Carter went undrafted after a fine career at Texas A&M and the Panthers kept him on the practice squad for part of 2007. I doubt he will escape the attention of other NFL GM’s another season. Carter has played well every time the Panthers have called on him.

 Dwayne Jarrett on the other hand got off to a shaky start in mini-camp by forgetting his routes but in the end showed why he was drafted so highly, displaying leaping ability and making catches. The guy certainly has soft hands and kind of reminds me of Michael Irvin (and I hate using Cowboy references).

 So the question begs, will the Panthers keep five or six WR’s?

 If the number is five then they will have a hard decision to make this fall. Do you bail out on the 2^nd round draft pick and go with the dazzle or do you stick with the investment you’ve made in the 2^nd round draft pick?

 I have a hard time thinking the Panthers will break camp with six WR’s considering they are using two spots just for the kicker position. I imagine we’ll want to keep nine offensive linemen as well. We also drafted a 3^rd TE and I can’t imagine the Panthers parting ways with either Jeff King or Dante Rosario. The numbers just start getting tight when you consider all these other position issues. It’s a problem but it’s a nice problem to have.