3 things the Panthers learned against the Bills

2. D.J. Moore is for real

While Samuel is still struggling to find his place in the receiver rotation, Moore may have catapulted himself into contention for a starting spot on offense last night. He led the Panthers in receiving yards with 75, but how he got there was much more important.

Moore’s play against Buffalo backed up the idea that he can make things happen after the catch. That will give Cam Newton a much different sort of weapon at the wide receiver position. Devin Funchess is capable of going up and making tough catches in traffic, but he’s not going to run away from opposing defenses. The initial reports that Moore turns into a running back after he catches the ball were confirmed on Thursday evening.

If he keeps that type of play up all preseason long, it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field once the regular season arrives. Funchess and Smith are currently listed as the team’s starters, but there will be a lot of three wide receiver sets in Turner’s offense. Moore has the talent to develop into a real weapon there in his rookie season.

It’s also very possible that he can knock either Funchess, or more likely Smith, out of their starting position on the outside. Marty Hurney didn’t spend a first round draft pick on Moore with the idea that he’d sit on the bench. The long-term plan is clearly for him to take a starting spot. The only question is whether or not Moore can make that happen as a rookie.