If the growth that coach Ron Rivera saw in Panthers quarterback Cam Newton this offseason continues into the regular season, his receivers are likely to compile some strong numbers.
That would work well for wide receiver Devin Funchess, who hasn’t let sliding into the second round get in the way of setting his sights on receiving some hardware at the end of the year.
“The goal I’ve set for myself is to be Rookie of the Year,” Funchess said, via NFL Media.
While there’s nothing particularly notable about a player setting a big goal for themselves, it does provide an opportunity to survey the players who will be vying for the award this season. Funchess, Kevin White, Todd Gurley, Amari Cooper and the other top skill position rookies may find it difficult to wind up as the voter’s choice this year because of the presence of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.
It’s a quarterback-driven league and the top two picks are almost certainly going to be starters from the first week of the season for teams that stand a good chance at improving on their win total from last season. That’s going to make them tough to beat out, although a big first year for Funchess would be a big boost to any team goals in Carolina this year.