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Carolina Panthers: Donte Moncrief Is Low-Risk, High Reward Signing

By Christian Candeloro

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Donte Moncrief #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Donte Moncrief #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers claimed former Steeler Donte Moncrief on Monday, a low-risk move that could pay off big

The Carolina Panthers added another weapon for the offense on Monday, claiming wide receiver Donte Moncrief off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Moncrief signed a two-year, $9-million dollar contract with the Steelers this offseason and Pittsburgh hoped that he could be one of the main contributors on an offense trying to replace Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Instead, Moncrief injured his finger in the preseason and was plagued with drops throughout his five games in black and gold.

Moncrief was targeted 15 times this season, catching an abysmal four balls for 18 yards and zero touchdowns. It’s a far cry from last year’s total of 48 catches for 668 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers dropped him ahead of the compensatory draft pick deadline and will likely now recoup a third-round pick for ridding themselves of his contract, making it a no-brainer decision.

For the Panthers, the team adds a veteran pass-catcher with the hope that a change of scenery can finally bring out his potential. The Panthers rank 25th in the NFL in passing and have struggled at times to stretch the field vertically.

D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel have been terrific for the Panthers this season, but there is a massive drop-off after the top two pass-catchers. If Moncrief is able to step in and give the Panthers even league-average production, he’d immensely help this offense.

Did the Panthers claim the right wide receiver?

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Gordon #10 of the New England Patriots enters the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Gordon #10 of the New England Patriots enters the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

What’s interesting about the Panthers’ signing of Moncrief is that they had the opportunity at another embattled wide receiver on waivers earlier this week and passed. Josh Gordon became available when the Patriots waived him but was claimed by the Seahawks, a team with a lower waiver priority than the Panthers.

Did the Panthers make the right call by claiming Moncrief instead of Gordon? Probably not, but there is a good chance neither move works out.

Before being waived, Gordon had 20 catches for 287 yards and one touchdown this season. He joins a Seattle team that desperately needs him to be a difference-maker. The Panthers went for the cheaper and less risky option.

Moncrief is owed just over $700K for the rest of this season and is received with relatively little fanfare. He will quietly join the team with low expectations and anything the Panthers receive from him will be an added bonus to the season. You can see the reasoning, even if the talent level is a little reduced.

At the end of the day, if you are the Panthers and faced with the lack of production from Jarius Wright and Chris Hogan, why not take a shot on Moncrief? Especially if you approach the situation realizing that any catch the Panthers receive from Moncrief must be regarded as icing. If Moncrief is able to find his footing and become a reliable number three receiver, this low-risk signing could end up being a difference-maker in the Panthers’ season.

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