Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith called D.J. Moore his ‘spirit animal’ after watching him in the preseason and said that the Panthers had finally replaced him. I took it as hyperbole from one of the most flamboyant players in NFL history. I mean it is Smitty we are talking about. But after seeing Moore play as a rookie and reviews like this one below makes me think Smitty might be right.
Wide receiver: D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers (22 as of Sept. 5). The age cutoff for this piece eliminates a flock of stars -- Tyreek Hill (25), Michael Thomas (26), Mike Evans (25) and Amari Cooper (turning 25 in June) — but Moore fits here as Carolina’s tough-as-nails heir to Steve Smith.