Five seasons have passed since Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had a legitimate No. 1 receiving option in Steve Smith. Since, the team has drafted four receivers and all were selected within the first two rounds, two in the first.
Kelvin Benjamin was option number one and after a solid rookie year his production waned following a knee injury. Opposite, former general manager Dave Gettleman selected the suspected free-agent-to-be, Devin Funchess. While his development improved over time it never reached prime receiver option.
More recently Carolina took Curtis Samuel and last year, D.