CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ When the Carolina Panthers drafted wide receiver D.J. Moore in 2018, Steve Smith, by then an analyst for NFL Network, made it clear that he was impressed with the selection.
He looked directly into the camera and said: "They have never been able to replace me ... until today."
It was a huge compliment from Smith, who throughout his career was known for his competitiveness and desire to prove he was one of the best.
Moore, 23, has been solid for the Panthers in his first two seasons. He led the team in receiving yards in 2019 and was top 15 in the NFL in catches (87), receiving yards (1,175) and receiving yards per game (78.3).
But Moore has not been recognized as one of the best receivers in the league. He wasn't voted to the 2019 Pro Bowl, nor was he voted by his peers as one of the NFL's Top 100 players. Oftentimes, that comes with consistent production over multiple seasons. It also comes with winning, something the 5-11 Panthers struggled with in 2019.
"I think D.J. has got to take another step this year and go be like that dominant, physical, go-to receiver, that on third-and-5 in the red zone, you're going to," Panthers coach Matt Rhule said last week. "Take the matchup of the other team's best corner and just dominate it."
Moore said Tuesday that he had the same conversation with Rhule this offseason. He said it was a challenge he was willing to accept.
"I'm going to try to be the best me, best receiver on the field that I can be for the team and help get the win," Moore said.
Moore, who was forced to work out in his garage and backyard because of the coronavirus, said he tried to work on all areas of his game this offseason. Now with two years left on his rookie deal, it's time to show what he's capable of.
To be compared with players like Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, Mike Evans and DeAndre Hopkins, and even Smith, there are a number of areas Moore must improve.
While Moore was a productive catcher in 2019, he did not spend much time in the end zone. His four touchdowns ranked tied for 66th in the league. Thomas, Evans, Jones and Hopkins all scored at least six touchdowns last season. Thomas and Evans had nine and eight touchdowns, respectively.
In Smith's 16 seasons in the league, he finished with six touchdowns or more in half of them. He had 12 touchdowns in 2005, which was likely the best season of his career.
Moore also must catch a larger% of his passes. Moore was targeted 135 times in 2019 and caught 64.4% of those passes. While he ranked higher than Evans, he still ranked 119th in the league. Not all of it can be put on Moore, though. Cam Newton was injured and struggled in two games. Kyle Allen was often inconsistent. And Will Grier, for two games, was worse.
Finally, he must increase his output in every category. If he reached at least 1,300 yards, 90 catches and seven touchdowns, it would be difficult to deny his status as a No. 1 wide receiver.
Moore was the first 1,000-yard Panthers wide receiver since 2014, and he would be the first Panthers wide receiver since Smith in 2011-12 to have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons if he can do that this season.
The good news for Moore is that he has a new quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater, who started five games for the New Orleans Saints, helped contribute to Thomas' record-setting season in 2019. He was an accurate thrower, completing 67.9% of his passes.
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady's offense is said to be playmaker friendly. What Moore has done well is picking up yards after the catch.
"One of the reasons why I hired Joe is, Joe is somebody as an offensive coordinator that finds what guys do well, and tries to stick them to that," Rhule said. "He's not just a purely system guy where you have to be able to do everything."
The Panthers have upgraded at wide receiver with the addition of Robby Anderson in the offseason. Add Anderson to Curtis Samuel and Christian McCaffrey and all the focus won't be on Moore.
"When you have multiple weapons from me to Curtis to Robby to Seth (Roberts), to DeAndrew (White), the whole list in our room," Moore said, "and even (McCaffrey) in our running back room, it's going to be crazy that if somebody just hones in on one player. It's going to open up plays for other people."
For Moore, that could mean a chance to prove he's one of the best.
