Carolina Panthers NFL trade rumors 2016: Wide receiver competition is good for Carolina

After falling short in the Super Bowl last year, the Carolina Panthers are definitely hoping to bounce back with a strong showing in 2016.

The team looked excellent in the regular season, going 15–1 to top the NFC South and reached all the way to the Super Bowl to face the Denver Broncos.

Unfortunately, they failed to compete during that match-up and were beaten by the better team.

However, it seems like things can only get better for the Panthers as Detroit Free Press reported that wide receiver Devin Funchess is so much better than he was last year.

This is a good thing as Funchess was only considered a back-up for the Panthers last year as Kelvin Benjamin was out due to an injury.

A second round pick by the team, Funchess finished the year with 31 receptions for 473 yards and five touchdowns.

For a rookie stepping up to the big stage and being the primary receiver of the team is a huge load but Funchess showed he was deserving of the spot.

Now that Benjamin has returned, CBS Sports believes that Funchess will challenge his counterpart for the number one spot in the team.

Healthy competition is good competition, and ultimately, this bodes well for Cam Newton and the team as he will have two great options to throw the ball to.

This can hopefully be the final piece that they need to continue what they started last season and end the 2016 campaign with a Super Bowl title.

Additionally, New Jersey Herald believes that even if the Panthers revert back to Benjamin, Funchess will still be a great option as a back-up as the 22-year-old has already proven that he belongs to the team and can do some damage when given the time on the field.

Things are certainly looking good for Carolina, and it should show at the start of the season.