Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took too much of a beating last year. He missed two games thanks to offseason ankle surgery and a broken rib. He injured his back in a car accident late in the season. On top of all that, he still carried the ball 103 times for 539 yards and five touchdowns. That's a dangerous proposition for a quarterback entering the final year of his deal.
The Panthers want Newton to hold up in the long term, especially after they lavish him with a new $100 million-plus contract in the coming year. So to protect their investment, the Panthers are expected to upgrade the passing game and target wide receivers in the NFL Draft. No more wild scrambles for this guy.
But which wide receiver do they want to pair with second-year pass catcher Kelvin Benjamin? Ohio State's Devin Smith is a distinct possibility.
"Offensive tackle is a need and Florida's D.J. Humphries was available, but he's not ready to start right away at left tackle and Carolina believes it filled that need with Michael Oher," ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton wrote in a recent NFL Nation Mock Draft. "Smith gives the Panthers that elite speed wide receiver/touchdown maker to be the No. 2 receiver opposite Kelvin Benjamin, last year's first-round pick."
Smith caught 33 passes for 931 yards, 12 touchdowns and a jaw dropping 28.2 Yards-Per-Catch average. He's drawn favorable comparisons to DeSean Jackson thanks to his 4.42 speed and penchant for big plays.
However, Smith's toughness and competitiveness were questioned at times at OSU. He often put himself in position to block in the running game but never put forth a consistent effort in that department. The Panthers will have to decide if his electric, game-breaking ability outweighs his questionable motor.
The NFL Draft kicks off this Thursday.