After sending in his team’s final pick of the 2022 NFL draft on Saturday, Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer was asked what he’d be looking for next as he pivoted to the open market.
“I’d say return specialist,” he said to ESPN’s David Newton. “We need someone to emerge in that area. We have some people on our team that can do it. But we’ll look into free agency and some other places, too, for a return specialist.”
Well, they might be done looking already.
On Monday evening, the Panthers announced they’ve agreed to a one-year deal with Andre Roberts. A wide receiver by trade, Roberts has established himself as one of the premier returners in the game.
Over his 12-year career, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder has fielded 258 kicks and 215 punts, with three scores apiece on each end. Roberts’ work has helped him rack up three Pro Bowl selections, one First-team All-Pro nods and a pair of Second-team All-Pro nods from 2020 and 2021.
The Columbia, S.C. native is also the first player from The Citadel to become a Carolina Panther.
