Joe

Adams

An impact slot receiver and returner, Adams plays much faster than his 4.55 timed forty. Despite his thin frame of 5'11/179 pounds, Adams is not afraid to work over the middle, excelling in deep in routes and crossing routes. His hands are not extremely reliable and Adams does not adjust in air to make catches, but he is a feisty competitor that can take a big hit after the catch. Adams could be the Panthers main returner immediately while learning under Steve Smith.

Edwards has been a massive bust since being a third-round pick in 2010, notching zero catches while averaging an absurdly poor 5.2 yards on 34 punt returns. Adams should, and likely will, push Edwards off the roster.

It’s why Joe Adams’ selection has surely ended Edwards’ time as the Panthers’ return specialist, and why the Charlotte Observer’s Scott Fowler and Joseph Person both expect Edwards to lose his roster spot. Edwards is just two years removed from being the No. 89 overall pick, but has shown so little that he might have trouble latching on elsewhere if he’s indeed released.

Bakhtiari supplies depth after reserve OLBs Darius Fleming and Kourtnei Brown both pulled hamstrings at rookie camp. Murphy was a UDFA out of Harvard. Matthews spent time on San Francisco’s practice squad last year.

The Southeastern Conference special teams player of the year, Adams is expected to shuttle former third-round reach Armanti Edwards off the roster. Adams should make an immediate impact as a return specialist, though he may have to bulk up before taking over slot duties for good.

It’s a disappointing time for a player whose game is built on speed. A slot receiver type with plus return value, Adams is only 5-foot-11, 179. The relatively slow forty could push Adams’ stock from the top-75 into the top-100 area.

“There will be some receivers on the open market who can help our situation,” said Smith. If he slips to No. 7 in the draft, Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon is a no-brainer for a franchise bereft of playmaking receivers since the days of Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union suggests Arkansas’ Joe Adams and Appalachian State’s Brian Quick as possibilities later in the draft.

Per the Press-Gazette, the smaller Borel “has made a bigger impact across the board.” He’s working both inside and outside while also getting a look as the backup to Randall Cobb on returns. “You see (improvement) as a route runner,” receivers coach Edgar Bennett said. “You see it with his level of competition as far as competing on each and every play. You see it with his hands, the little things like that.”

It’s hardly breaking news for a 179-pound player, but does confirm Adams won’t be involved in the No. 2 receiver battle between Brandon LaFell and David Gettis. Adams should also return punts, with Kealoha Pilares handling kickoffs.

In the doghouse thanks to a spate of early-season fumbles, Adams would work into the mix with Captain Munnerlyn on punt returns. David Gettis would likely take over for Edwards on kickoff returns, as Adams isn’t yet trusted in that department.