Carolina Panthers sign Cam Devonta Smith

The Carolina Panthers earns an A+ Contract Value Index (CVI) on this signing, and it's not close. At $3.1M total over three years ($1.03M AAV), this deal represents elite-tier value for a player at the wide receiver position—the kind of contract you rarely see in the modern NFL where even depth receivers command $8M+ annually. The straightforward math here is irresistible: you're getting a proven pass-catcher at a veteran minimum price point, which immediately creates cap flexibility and allows the Panthers to allocate resources elsewhere in a roster construction cycle. CVI reflects the fundamental mismatch between production tier and salary commitment, and this signing sits at the absolute top of that spectrum. The risk profile is minimal—a three-year term provides stability without creating long-term cap anchors, and at this price, even a modest contribution rate clears the value threshold. In an offseason where the Panthers' sentiment has cooled dramatically, this is precisely the kind of low-cost, high-floor transaction that helps stabilize a roster without sacrificing future flexibility.