The Panthers have a deal in place with free agent wide receiver Jason Avant, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com confirmed the signing, reporting that it’s a one-year deal. The 30-year-old will add some much needed depth to a team that has lost three of it’s top four receivers from 2013.
Steve Smith (Ravens), Brandon LaFell (Patriots) and Ted Ginn (Cardinals) have all moved on, and tight end Greg Olsen is the Panthers’ only remaining offensive player who had more than 500 receiving yards last season. The team’s current depth at the position includes free agent additions Tiquan Underwood and Jerricho Cotchery as well as Marvin McNutt and Tavarres King.
Avant was released by the Eagles in early March. The eight-year veteran has spent his entire career in Philadelphia after being drafted out of Michigan in 2006. The receiver has been consistent over the past five seasons; he’s averaged 47 catches and 587 yards. 2013 was his worst season over the span, as he caught only 38 passes for 447 yards.