The Carolina Panthers have a new No. 1 receiver.
Granted, Jerricho Cotchery has been a backup for most of his career and is about to turn 32, but Cotchery will soon be the top receiver on the Panthers’ depth chart. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the deal is being finalized now.
Obviously, the Panthers will need to make a few more moves at wide receiver before the season starts. But at the moment, with Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn and Domenik Hixon all having left in free agency, Cotchery is by far the best receiver the Panthers have.
Last year Cotchery played in all 16 games and started six for the Steelers, catching 46 passes for 602 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns. It was his third season in Pittsburgh; he previously played for the Jets from 2004 to 2010.
Cotchery was also weighing an offer to return to the Steelers, but instead he’ll call Carolina home this year.