The Giants released wide receiver Victor Cruz last Monday, but it didn’t take long for the 30-year-old to garner serious interest on the open market. Cruz visited the Panthers on Monday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com and Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter links). Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review first reported the connection between Cruz and Carolina.
The meeting between Cruz and Carolina “went well,” Cruz tells Art Stapleton of The Record (Twitter link), who adds that mutual interest exists between the two parties. Cruz will continue the free agent “process,” an indication he’ll likely meet with other clubs, but the Panthers are a “strong first suitor,” per Stapleton.
If the Panthers were to sign Cruz, it would reunite him with general manager Dave Gettleman, who worked in the Giants’ front office from 1999-2012. Gettleman was on hand when the Giants signed Cruz as an undrafted free agent from UMass in 2010, which turned into an excellent move for both the team and player.
Cruz caught 303 passes and 25 touchdowns as a Giant, with whom he also won a Super Bowl and went to a Pro Bowl. Injuries mostly kept Cruz out of action from 2014-15, though he bounced back last season to make 15 appearances and 12 starts. While Cruz only caught 39 passes and one touchdown in 2016, he did manage to match his career yards-per-catch average of 15.0.
Regardless of whether they add Cruz, acquiring more targets for Cam Newton should be a priority for the Panthers. The team’s top two pass catchers from last season, tight end Greg Olsen and wideout Kelvin Benjamin, will be in the fold in 2017, but third-leading receiver Ted Ginn is headed for free agency. No one else on Carolina’s roster hauled in more than 27 passes last year.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Saints better not sign him
If the Panthers want to contend, why consider giving him a roster spot? Maybe just doing their homework in case the Giants totally missed something and he still got it, but he doesn’t.
They could use a third WR since Ginn can leave.
Probably much better WRs available in the middle rounds than Cruz at this point.
Cruz would offer more immediate upside than a draft pick probably could. And would probably be a more reliable option than a rookie.
No
Victor Cruz would be great for the Panthers the Giants just only threw to obj every play and some times sterling Shepard
I think he’s going to stay local
Cruz isn’t a starter anymore but he could work well for teams that frequently use a #3 receiver. Cincinnati could use him, as could Denver now that Mike McCoy is back as OC.
Going to miss the guy.
The Los Angeles Chargers could/should sign Victor Cruz!!!!!!!