Posted by Will Brinson

We've speculated here -- and at length on Twitter -- that the Panthers should have been interested in Jerricho Cotchery, who eventually signed with the Steelers, because of their need for veteran wide receiver depth.

That need grew exponentially on Friday, when it was learned that second-year wideout David Gettis would miss the entire 2011 season with a torn ACL.

This is a huge blow for Carolina, and not just because Gettis was primed -- if the Panthers could generate some quarterback play -- to break out in the coming year.

Their depth at wideout is questionable at best, as after Steve Smith (who's already suffering from a serious finger injury) comes Gettis, than Brandon LaFell, followed by Armanti Edwards (!) and the decent-but-not-startable Legedu Naanee/David Clowney combo.

So, yeah, Cotchery would have been nice. So would Buffalo's Lee Evans, whom the Bills are rumored to be interested in dealing.

The problem is that the Bills, according to Panthers Rapid Reporter Steve Reed at the Gaston Gazette, reportedly want a third-rounder for Evans. Reed reports that "there was some initial interest from the Panthers" but that it's highly unlikey the Panthers will pursue the 30-year-old Evans.

That's primarily because of the cost for Evans, even though he'd be a huge upgrade for Carolina heading into 2011. Additionally, there's a solid chance that Buffalo can stir up a little bidding war for the deep-threat wideout.

As our own Ryan Wilson noted yesterday, there are plenty of teams -- the Ravens, the Dolphins, and the Cardinals most notably -- who still need wide receiver help.

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