D.J. Moore will have a new quarterback this year with the Carolina Panthers. Will Teddy Bridgewater help him became a top-10 fantasy wide receiver?
The Carolina Panthers of yesterday are no more. This is David Tepper’s team now, meaning he will want to put his stamp on the NFC South franchise he purchased from Jerry Richardson a few years ago. He’s changed the coaching staff and the quarterback position, but there are so many ancillary effects here. How does this all impact wide receiver D.J. Moore‘s growth in year three?
The Fantasy Footballers assess if Moore can become not only the Panthers’ No. 1 receiving option in 2020, but if he has it in him to be a top-10 fantasy wide receiver. Obviously, the guys are split on how they feel about Moore. While Mike Wright is in favor of Moore being great, Andy Holloway is a bit more skeptical on the former Maryland Terrapin receiver.
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Wright believes Moore’s touchdown totals will go up a tick with Teddy Bridgewater serving as his new quarterback. Moore was still a productive receiver for the Panthers, despite the chaotic nature of the Carolina quarterback room a season ago. Wright adds Moore only played in 14 games last season, so his fantasy value is understated because he didn’t play the full 16 slate.
Holloway thinks Moore will be a good fantasy receiver, but not one who should be WR1 on your team. If he’s a WR2, then you have a great chance to win a bunch of weeks next fall. However, if he has to take a chance on Moore or go with a more proven commodity like T.Y. Hilton of the Indianapolis Colts, he’s going to side with the latter.
Bridgewater may be a more accurate passer than either Cam Newton or Kyle Allen was last year, but he’s never been the signal-caller to truly elevate a receiving talent around him in fantasy. Carolina also added former New York Jet Robby Anderson in free agency. Perhaps he and Curtis Samuel take away some of the targets that went Moore’s way a season ago?
Overall, the Panthers will want to throw the ball a ton in Joe Brady’s offensive system. Having an accurate passer like Bridgewater will certainly help accomplish that. But because this offseason will be so weird and it won’t allow a lot of time for Moore and Bridgewater to develop a rapport, let’s say Moore isn’t a top-10 fantasy wide receiver in 2020, but is knocking on that threshold.