The Panthers had an unprecedented offensive coaching overhaul this offseason, hiring a new head coach, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. With new coaches come new schemes, and Joe Brady has already expressed his desire to utilize multiple receiver sets in Carolina.
The team currently has six receivers all but guaranteed their roster spot this year: DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel, Keith Kirkwood, Seth Roberts and Pharoh Cooper. Some are also expected to contribute on special teams, further locking in their role. But multiple receiver sets means keeping more than the traditional six receivers and Panthers have a few dark horses lingering on the bottom of the depth chart.
Now, as training camp gets underway, the battle for the final spot is heating up. Here are the players competing to earn the last receiver spot on the team.
DeAndrew White
White (six-foot, 185 pounds) comes into the competition with a couple of clear advantages over some of the other options. After going unpicked in the 2015 NFL draft, White floated around multiple teams before finally earning some playing time on the Panthers roster last season. During his four preseason games in 2019, the third-year receiver recorded six catches for 122 yards, including this 54-yard reception from quarterback Will Grier. Not only does White have the advantage of three years of real NFL experience, but he is also the only one with experience as a slot receiver, something important to multiple receiver sets. He also has ability as a kick returner.
Omar Bayless
Bayless (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) joins the Panthers as an undrafted free agent after an impressive college career at Arkansas State. In his senior season, Bayless put up 1,653 yards off 93 receptions, converting 17 of those into touchdowns. This performance ranked him second in receiving yards in the FBS, even ahead of notable first-round draft picks Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb. While Bayless lacks pro experience, his production in college gives him a significant edge. He’s also playing with a chip on his shoulder.
TreVontae Hights
Hights (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) might be the receiver with the least real football experience, as he arrives in Carolina as an undrafted free agent who for the most part, flew under the radar in college. The TCU product totaled 327 yards over five years, but what likely impressed the Panthers was his 23.4 yards-per-catch average, among the highest in college football.
Ishmael Hyman
Hyman (six-foot, 195 pounds) benefits from a year of experience in the NFL, but he saw little to no playing time in that year he spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His two receptions for 34 yards with Tampa Bay last season are not going to impress coaches, so expect a steep uphill climb for Hyman to win a spot on the final roster.
Brandon Zylstra
Zylstra (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) has totaled nine receptions for 129 yards over the last two seasons, one each with the Vikings and Panthers. After star wideout D.J. Moore was forced to sit out of Weeks 16-17 last season, Zylstra took advantage of the extra snaps, hauling in this 40-yard reception in Week 17. Zylstra is not the most talented receiver in the group, but he has size and experience in the NFL, which will help.
Projected winner: Omar Bayless
Our prediction is that Bayless takes advantage of his size and an impressive college football senior season to secure a receiver spot in Brady’s spread offense. The rookie wideout has the raw skill and size to make a difference in today’s league, and while he may not have an immediate impact, training camp could prove that he’s one of the undrafted gems in this year’s rookie class.
