Just in case you were holding your breath, you can exhale.
Panthers first-round pick DJ Moore, the 24th selection in the 2018 draft, has signed his rookie contract, the club announced on Monday afternoon. The Panthers have now signed all eight of their 2018 draft picks, and are currently in the midst of their “summer break” before returning for training camp in Spartanburg, SC on July 26.
Moore may have tipped his hand earlier this morning that he was on the way to work, posting on Instagram at 7:31a that he was walking into Bank of America Stadium, even though players have the next six weeks off. Moore is expected to contribute heavily in his rookie season, playing with veteran wide receivers Devin Funchess, Torrey Smith, Jarius Wright, Curtis Samuel and Damiere Byrd – Moore has lined up at multiple wideout spots this spring, including in the backfield during OTA sessions and last week’s mandatory mini-camp.
Something to help you through the next six weeks. pic.twitter.com/06wP1wq6WA
— The Riot Report (@RRiotReport) June 14, 2018
Moore is only the third Panthers wide receiver taken in the first round of the draft and the first since 2014 when the team selected Kelvin Benjamin – Benjamin was traded at the trade deadline last season. Moore was the first wide receiver selected in the 2018 draft; during his three seasons at Maryland, Moore had 146 career receptions, 2,027 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns, including breaking the 1,000 yard barrier while playing with four different quarterbacks in his senior season.
Because of the NFL’s rookie wage scale, we know that Moore’s four-year deal is expected to be worth about $11.2 million with a $6.2 million signing bonus.
