Is DJ Hackett a legit #2?

[dallascisco]

The Panthers signed DJ Hackettto be the number 2 receiver along side Steve Smith. Do you think Hackett is a legit number 2?

[htwheelz01]

I think that he is capable of being a number 2 yes.

[uptonfan1]

I certainly hope he's capable of the job, makes you wonder what's going to happen to Dawyne Jarrett though....

[duane1969]

That is tough to say. He certainly has the size (6'2", 208) but he is kinda slow (4.53/40 at the rookie combine). He averaged 13.3 YPC in three years at Seattle so he can obviously make some plays.

On the flip side, even if he is no better than a #3 the Panthers only gave him a 2 year $3.5 mill deal which factors out to about $1.75 mill a year, not expensive, even for a back-up.

Considering the Panthers appear to have gone into rebuild mode, he is a good, cheap, short-term signing.

I also heard they were trying bring Muhsin Muhammed back, did that ever happen?

[Seanathan297]

That is tough to say. He certainly has the size (6'2", 208) but he is kinda slow (4.53/40 at the rookie combine). He averaged 13.3 YPC in three years at Seattle so he can obviously make some plays.

On the flip side, even if he is no better than a #3 the Panthers only gave him a 2 year $3.5 mill deal which factors out to about $1.75 mill a year, not expensive, even for a back-up.

Considering the Panthers appear to have gone into rebuild mode, he is a good, cheap, short-term signing.

I also heard they were trying bring Muhsin Muhammed back, did that ever happen?

Yeah, they ended up getting Muhammed.

According to D.J.'s agent, they guarenteed him the #2 spot.

[WideRight90]

TBH I think that getting ANY WR from Seattle is a mistake. Carolina should have waitied for the draft. Stick jarret out as #2 and Hackett as a #3 at best.

[OnePimpTiger]

He's good for about 600-700 yds and a few TDs...I think he's a great role player, could possibly be a decent #2 if given the right opportunity. And Jarrett definitely has not proven himself yet...7 games w/6 rec and 73 yds? I don't think I would rely on that as a #2 yet.

[duane1969]

Yeah, they ended up getting Muhammed.

According to D.J.'s agent, they guarenteed him the #2 spot.

LOL, gotta love them agents. They will say anything to make their client look better. I have a feeling that if Hackett can't catch on to the offensive system and/or can't remember his routes that he won't be the #2, regardless of what was promised in contract negotiations.

Muhammed has played in the system and IMO would be an early favorite for the #2 spot. He played opposite Steve Smith for a few seasons so it makes sense that he would have the upper hand in open competition. He is getting old, but he can still make plays and he already knows the offensive scheme.

If Jarrett improves I wouldn't be suprised to see Hackett slide to the #3 or even #4 roster spot.

[Seanathan297]

LOL, gotta love them agents. They will say anything to make their client look better. I have a feeling that if Hackett can't catch on to the offensive system and/or can't remember his routes that he won't be the #2, regardless of what was promised in contract negotiations.

Muhammed has played in the system and IMO would be an early favorite for the #2 spot. He played opposite Steve Smith for a few seasons so it makes sense that he would have the upper hand in open competition. He is getting old, but he can still make plays and he already knows the offensive scheme.

If Jarrett improves I wouldn't be suprised to see Hackett slide to the #3 or even #4 roster spot.

When he signed I assumed he would be the #3, but then his agent said the #2 spot was guarenteed in the deal, so I'm left wondering what is going on. It would make sense, it's really the only way I think he would have left Seattle. If Carolina didn't make some type of guarentee of playing time or a position on the depth chart, he would have just re-signed with Seattle for a cheap 1 year. He has the inside track on the position, but he is still going to need to go into camp and battle for it. I think the biggest problem he is going to have is staying healthy. I really hope that they included a 2 year supply of ankle tape with that guarentee.

The only reasoning I can think of at this point of Hackett over Muhammed is that Hackett gives them a bit more speed and is more of a vertical threat than Muhammed at this point in his career. People are pretty low on Jarrett in Carolina from what I have read, lots of Mike Williams comparisons. His recent problem with the law doesn't help a whole lot either. Hopefully he grows up a bit and can start putting up numbers on the field instead of off it.

[duane1969]

I really hope that they included a 2 year supply of ankle tape with that guarentee.

LOL

The only reasoning I can think of at this point of Hackett over Muhammed is that Hackett gives them a bit more speed and is more of a vertical threat than Muhammed at this point in his career.

Muhammed would have to be pretty slow for Hackett to be considered a more vertical threat. Hackett ran a 4.53/40 in the rookie combine and as you already mentioned, he has ankle issues.

I think the Panthers signed him because he was faily cheap @ 2 years for $3.5 mill. As I said before, I think the Panthers are in rebuild mode. They cut Dan Morgan, traded Kris Jenkins, cut Deshaun Foster and have signed no significant free agents. I think they are accepting that they will suck this year and are looking at a high draft pick and lots of cap room next year as their goal.