The Carolina Panthers have yet to show interest in acquiring a free agent to replace Kelvin Benjamin and the options could be getting much smaller in the coming days. The New England Patriots have already swept up Reggie Wayne and the Green Bay Packers are searching for a replacement to Jordy Nelson. That could leave the Panther with few options, but does the team feel they need to make an addition? According to quarterback Cam Newton, the Panthers have the right depth in place to get by.
The first preseason game without Benjamin did not go as planned for Carolina in terms of the receiving game. The running backs certainly did their jobs, but the wide receivers left something to be desire out on the field. However, Newton is not ready to hit the panic button on the team's season just yet, confident that with more reps come better play.
"We can't press the panic mode," Newton said, via ESPN.com. "We'll be all right. We'll find a way to win, and that's the only thing that matters."
According to David Newton, the Panthers are not in the market for an additional wide receiver. Head coach Ron Rivera denied the idea the team was looking at Wanye or Wes Welker. Instead he stressed that the team feels good about where they are at in terms of depth and other playmakers and will carry on with the current roster in place. That includes Greg Olsen who now becomes the most important part of this offense.
Last season according to ESPN's Stats and Information, receivers and tight ends made up 87 percent of Carolina's total targets. Olsen was the x-factor in that equation as he is more valuable than Benjamin. ESPN reports that since 2011, Olsen has been targeted 415 times which ranks him third behind Jimmy Graham and Jason Witten. Olsen is the new leading wide receiver for the Panthers heading into 2015.
Devin Funchess is expected to play a big role, or at least that is what Carolina is counting on. Without Benjamin, the rookie becomes the leading wide receiver once he returns from a hamstring injury. Funchess has pressure on him to improve and adjust quickly. He cannot afford the rookie mistakes that normally plague receivers early. Newton is confident that with the right guidance, Funchess can be a star.
"He has to learn at an accelerated rate, but I'm taking him up under my wing," Newton said, via ESPN.com. "I have full confidence in Devin that he gets it, sooner rather than later. He's a guy that wants to be great. We talk often. I'm pretty much a person that he can trust and that I know I can trust when the game comes on the line."
