The Carolina Panthers could use more offensive firepower to continue developing quarterback Bryce Young in 2025. One NFL insider projected the Panthers to add an explosive wide receiver in NFL free agency.
On Jan. 29, ESPN’s Matt Bowen predicted Carolina as a possible destination for veteran free agent wide receiver Darius Slayton.
“Don’t sleep on a robust free agency for Slayton. Several teams will be looking for top-end speed on the outside, and Slayton has that,” Bowen wrote. “He paid his dues in a bad offense and will likely be looking for a Darnell Mooney-type contract. Carolina would make some sense here.”
Last offseason, the Atlanta Falcons signed Darnell Mooney to a three-year contract worth $39 million. Bowen predicted Slayton could receive similar contract offers.
How Darius Slayton Could Fit in Panthers’ Offense
The 28-year-old has never reached the 800-yard mark, let alone 1,000 receiving yards in a season. But Slayton has only worked with Daniel Jones and other struggling signal callers throughout his career.
Despite this, he has repeatedly proven to be a deep threat, averaging 15 yards per catch over his six-year career.
This past season, he caught 39 passes for 573 yards, averaging 14.7 yards per catch, and scored two touchdowns.
Because it cost so much to acquire the right to draft Young, the Panthers haven’t been able to surround their young signal caller with much talent. 34-year-old Adam Thielen was Carolina’s leading receiver the past two years.
Before the 2024 season, the Panthers acquired Diontae Johnson. But he lasted just seven games in Carolina before the Panthers traded him.
The Panthers still have 2024 rookie receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker on the roster. But they could certainly use an additional veteran wideout.
Where Slayton Ranks in Free Agent WR Class
Bowen ranked Slayton as the No. 36 overall free agent set to hit the open market in March. Among projected free agent wide receivers, Bowen rated Slayton fifth after only Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper and Stefon Diggs.
Slayton held a similar position, coming in at No. 39, on PFN’s Top 100 NFL free agents list.
“Darius Slayton has perpetually been viewed as a bubble player the past few seasons, only to emerge as an important starting piece in the Giants’ offense. Slayton was no longer the No. 1 wide receiver in 2024 with the emergence of rookie sensation Malik Nabers. However, he still ranked third on the team with 573 receiving yards, while leading New York with 14.7 yards per reception.
“Slayton was far less efficient than 2023, when he led the Giants with 770 receiving yards. His catch percentage dropped from 63% to 55%, and his yards-after-the-catch average dropped by nearly half (6.0 to 3.2). In addition, his usage was far more stagnant, as he aligned in the slot just 19% of the time (32% in 2023).
“Slayton has demonstrated he has something to offer as a third receiver with some downfield playmaking potential. However, he doesn’t quite performed at a difference-making level, and it’s easy to see teams preferring to opt for rookies with more untapped upside to fill the role Slayton would occupy.”
PFN’s top free agents list also has Slayton ranked as the No. 5 free agent wideout. But PFN rated Keenan Allen, not Diggs, higher than Slayton.