Seahawks’ WR depth takes a hit as David Moore signs with Panthers

The Panthers signed longtime Seahawks executive Scott Fitterer to be the organization’s new general manager earlier this offseason, and now Fitterer is bringing receiver David Moore with him from Seattle to Carolina.

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The Panthers announced Thursday afternoon they have signed Moore, shortly after reports surfaced about the move.

Moore, a 2017 seventh-round pick, has been the Seahawks’ No. 3 receiver for the last three seasons after recording no catches in his rookie season. Over the last three seasons, Moore accumulated 78 catches for 1,163 yards and 13 touchdowns in 46 regular season games. The 26 year old is also known as someone who can make tough catches deep downfield.

David Moore with the double move and the beautiful catch 🔥 @DmoeSwagg23 @Seahawks

📺 #LARvsSEA on FOX pic.twitter.com/q63QqHwKix

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 27, 2020

Per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Moore is signing a two-year deal worth $4.75 million and $1.25 million guaranteed.

With Moore leaving the Seahawks, adding depth at wide receiver becomes more of a priority.

The Seahawks have one of the best receiver tandems in the NFL in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, who both had over 1,000 yards last season. But after those two, there’s a lot of uncertainty with the other receivers on the roster.

Freddie Swain, a 2020 sixth-round pick, had his moments last season, appearing in all 16 games and catching 13 passes for 159 yards and two scores. It’s unclear whether the Seahawks view him as a legit No. 3 option, however, especially as three-receiver sets are becoming more prevalent in today’s NFL.

Swain has far and away the most experience of any receiver not named Metcalf or Lockett on Seattle’s roster, as only two other receivers have appeared in an NFL game before.

John Ursua, a 2019 seventh-round pick, spent last season on the Seahawks’ practice squad, and in his rookie campaign he recorded just one reception. Penny Hart spent time on the active roster last year, appearing in 13 games, but he recorded just one catch and one rushing attempt for 19 yards.

As for who’s left? Cody Thompson and Aaron Fuller, both of whom have yet to appear in an NFL game.

The free-agent receiver market started slow this week but picked up Wednesday and Thursday. That slow start was likely due in part to the upcoming draft class being a strong one for college receivers.

While the Seahawks could add depth at receiver in the draft, they currently have just three draft picks after a series of trades dating back to last offseason.

Other Seahawks news

Though Thursday was mostly quiet early on for the Seahawks, they did re-sign fullback/special teams ace Nick Bellore. The move was reported in the morning, with Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus saying it’s a two-year contract. Seattle made the re-signing official in the afternoon.

The @Seahawks re-signed @NBELLORE54 this afternoon. #GoHawks https://t.co/WTxoB7GfNj

— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) March 18, 2021

Bellore, 32 in May, started his NFL career in 2011 as a linebacker and moved to fullback during his two years with the Detroit Lions from 2017 and 2018. He joined the Seahawks in 2019 and has appeared in 30 regular season games since then, recording 21 special teams tackles and also scoring a touchdown late in the 2019 season.

In 2020, Bellore had 14 tackles on special teams and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.

While Bellore is listed as a fullback, the Seahawks have rarely used him in that capacity. He played just 29 offensive snaps in 2019 and 35 last year. In that same time frame, he’s played 560 special teams snaps.

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