The last time Steve Smith had help at the receiver position was when he was paired with Muhsin Muhammad in Carolina's Super Bowl run a few years ago. When Muhammad left to go to the Chicago Bears, everything seemed to go south.

Keary Colbert didn't work.
Keyshawn Johnson didn't work.
Dwayne Jarrett didn't even play.

A few weeks ago, the Panthers brought Muhammad back in hopes of re-establishing the threat he once had. They didn't stop there though.

The team signed free-agent receiver D.J. Hackett on Monday to a two-year deal worth $3.5 million. Hackett, who many fans around the NFL coveted as a sleeper free agent, signed for a lot less money than someone like Donte Stallworth did with the Cleveland Browns. Part of that probably had to do with Hackett's consistent run-ins with injuries. He only played in six games last season, but during that time, he caught 32 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Also consider that in Seattle, he was among a group of four talented receivers that took production away from each other.

According to Hackett's agent, Kevin Robinson, Hackett will be the No. 2 receiver in Carolina this season. That means that Muhammad would be the team's third receiver, undoubtedly giving them more depth than they've had in years at the position. Also, Jarrett will try to factor into some playing time as well after being drafted fairly high last season.

Still, a lot of things in Carolina will rely on the status of quarterback Jake Delhomme. When he went down last year, David Carr, Vinny Testaverde, and Matt Moore failed to spark a late run to the postseason.