The Carolina Panthers are back in the win column, but their latest victory came at a cost. Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen suffered a hamstring injury against the Las Vegas Raiders, landing him on the injured reserve and sidelining him for at least the next four games. If Bryce Young were still leading the charge, this injury could be enough to signal a fire sale. However, seeing as Andy Dalton has the team just one game out of the division lead, the Panthers could look for short-term help by signing wide receiver Corey Davis as a free agent.
A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Davis had highs and lows throughout his career but ultimately is a reliable depth receiver who can make plays along the sideline. After retiring before the 2023 season, Davis announced a return to the game a few months ago but has yet to find any viable suitors. Carolina could kick the tires on the free agent, but the receiver-needy Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs could also pursue Corey Davis.
Panthers Could Fight Ravens, Chiefs For Free Agent Corey Davis
The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 4 with a 1-2 record after narrowly escaping the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. The team jumped out to an early lead but, as is often the case in the John Harbaugh Era, nearly blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson criticized the coaches after the game for taking their foot off the gas, but perhaps they didn’t have a choice. First-round pick Zay Flowers is the only proven wide receiver in the offense, and this team could close games better if they add Corey Davis as a free agent.
Mark Andrews might be past his prime, and former first-round pick Rashod Bateman cannot establish himself in this passing attack. Corey Davis won’t need to be the focal point of the offense, but the free agent could earn a few targets per game as a perimeter threat on intermediate routes. As an added bonus, the 6′-3″, 209-pound wideout is a capable blocker who should be thrive at clearing out running lanes for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
More Help For Patrick Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs spent the offseason trying to make life easier for Patrick Mahomes. After winning the Super Bowl with a subpar supporting cast, Brett Veach and company added speedsters Marquise Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy to a group that already featured a future Hall of Famer in Travis Kelce and an upcoming star in Rashee Rice. If this group played up to their potential, the Chiefs would have no reason to sign Corey Davis as a free agent.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs offense is not as good on the field as they look on paper. Travis Kelce has just 69 yards through three games, as age may be catching up with the star tight end as he approaches his 35th birthday. Brown, meanwhile, will likely miss the season following a preseason injury, leaving Mahomes with just Rice and Worthy. These two are both reliable players, but signing Corey Davis as a free agent would give this team a much-needed reliable third option in this passing attack. Nobody on the roster has his skill set, as Davis can earn his paycheck hauling in contested passes on the sideline.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports
