Carolina Panthers trust veteran receiver David Moore

CAROLINA PANTHERS

David Moore is the most experienced of Carolina Panthers receivers and has the confidence of coach Dave Canales, who has coached him at three NFL stops.

If Dave Canales has a locker room soulmate, it would be David Moore. 

When the Seattle Seahawks drafted Moore in the seventh round in 2017, Canales, then a wide receivers coach, started mentoring the small-school prospect.  The relationship extended to Tampa Bay in 2023 when Canales was promoted to Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, and the last two seasons in Carolina with Canales as head coach. 

“We can always count on D-Mo,” Canales said Tuesday. “David Moore is a guy that I have known for a long time. We go way back, got a lot of trust in D-Mo.” 

The eight-year veteran showed why Canales trusted him with taking first-team snaps Tuesday at the opening practice of mandatory minicamp. He replaced sophomore Tetairoa McMillan (foot), who did not run routes during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. 

“(Moore) can really play all of the positions, and he stepped in and did well,” Canales said. 

On a Bryce Young pass during 11-on-11 drills, Moore caught the ball over several defenders. They connected again on a highlight reception during 7-on-7 routes.  

Loaded with young receivers 

Outside of Moore, 31, the Panthers’ wide receiver room is comprised of prospects and unproven talent. Outside of the two first-round draft picks (McMillan and Xavier Legette), 2022 second-round draft choice John Metchie III, 2026 third-rounder Chris Brazzell II and 2025 sixth-rounder Jimmy Horn Jr., the seven remaining occupants are undrafted free agents, including Jalen Coker. 

Canales said he remains confident the group will continue to make strides and grow with Young, whose fifth year under contract is guaranteed and aiming to open negotiations on a long-term deal after guiding the Panthers to an 8-9 record and NFC South title last season.

McMillan, the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, led Carolina with 70 catches, 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. He also accounted 55 first downs, 269 yards after the catch and 58 more targets.

Assuming he can start the regular season healthy, Coker, who enjoyed a strong finish to 2025, is expected to capture the WR2 role, followed ideally by Legette, who continues to catch praise from Canales despite two inconsistent campaigns.

“We had great meetings going out of the season, great meetings when he came back in April,” Canales said. “Talked about his plan and the things he’s working on and all that. He’s just aware of all the things he needs to continue to improve upon to be the player that we know he can be, and that he knows he can be.”

Brazzell also ran routes from the “X” position at the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium. His breakaway speed is expected to add another dimension to the Panthers’ run-first offense. 

“He’s made some plays over the last couple of weeks,” Canales said. “Really excited about where he’s headed with his development."  

One of six former East Central (Okla.) players to become NFL draft picks, Moore understands the Panthers’ offensive gameplan nearly as well as Canales. He grasps his role as a quasi on-field coach.  

“It certainly does give him an advantage,” Canales said. “At the same time, it is our jobs as coaches to evaluate how they perform given that one person might know a little bit more about the system. We can’t fault young players that can help us because they don’t have all of the answers.”

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