D.J. Moore is cut from a different cloth compared to the greatest wide receiver in Panthers history. While Steve Smith is always thrilled to tell you about that time that he proved someone wrong, Moore keeps an even keel and lets his game do the talking.
This attitude is a healthy one. It’s a shame that Moore is so consistently underrated. For example, Pro Football Focus inexplicably left him off their list of the league’s 32 best wide receivers earlier this summer. Moore says these things don’t matter to him, though – per Cameron Wolfe via NFL.com.
“I always look at myself as a top-tier player in the league. So, numbers really don’t matter, rankings don’t matter to me. I just go out there and do what’s best for the team. Having another 1,000 yards would be amazing so I’m gonna go strive for that.”
That goal is more than reasonable. Moore has managed almost 1,200 yards in each of the last two seasons despite playing with Kyle Allen and Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback for most of that time.
Taking the next step to earn more recognition will require Moore getting into the end zone more often. He’s caught 10 touchdowns in 46 games. A lot of that will be on Carolina’s coaches, though. The Panthers were among the least effective teams in the NFL inside the red zone last year.
