Steve Smith Says D.J. Moore Is 1st WR with Chance to Replace Him with Panthers

The Carolina Panthers used the 24th overall pick of Thursday's 2018 NFL draft to select wide receiver D.J. Moore out of Maryland, and former Panthers pass-catcher Steve Smith had high praise during NFL Network's broadcast.

"They have never been able to replace me ... until now," he said, via NFL writer Eric Edholm.

If Moore is anything like Smith was in Carolina, the Panthers will receive incredible value with the late-first-round selection. Smith played for the team from 2001 through 2013 and was a five-time Pro Bowler while helping lead it to the playoffs four times and the Super Bowl once. He amassed 836 catches for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns during his tenure with the Panthers.

While Moore was a dangerous playmaker at Maryland, those are big shoes to fill. Moore posted 80 catches for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns in his last collegiate season.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller ranked Moore as the fourth-best receiver in this draft class, but he was the first one taken off the board Thursday.

To hear Smith say it, Moore will be the answer to Carolina’s search to find a replacement for his production alongside quarterback Cam Newton.