The Panthers on Thursday announced the signing of wide receiver Seth Roberts. The former Raven helped Baltimore finish atop the league in scoring offense last year after spending four seasons with the Raiders.
Before Roberts starts hauling in passes for the Panthers, get to know Carolina's newest wide receiver:
Mr. Clutch
As an undrafted free agent signing with the Raiders, Roberts knew he had to prove his value to the team. One simple way to do that was by catching a game-winning touchdown. Or two. Or three. Or maybe four.
Roberts' first NFL touchdown was a game-winner in 2015 when his 12-yard catch with 30 seconds left lifted the Raiders to victory over his future team, the Ravens. Roberts went on to catch three more game-winners over the course of his time in Oakland, including a 41-yard strike on fourth-and-4 in overtime to defeat the Buccaneers in 2016.
An unconventional path
The path to the NFL looks different for every player, and Roberts' journey wasn't easy.
Roberts opted to take the junior college route, spending the first two years of his collegiate career at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi. In two seasons at Pearl River, Roberts hauled in 100 passes for 1,129 yards and 11 touchdowns. But when it came time to leave JUCO, Roberts didn't have a long list of Division I suitors pursuing him, so he went to the University of West Alabama, a DII program.
There Roberts totaled 62 receptions for 1,169 yards and 13 touchdowns over his final two years, which propelled him to an opportunity with the Raiders. It may not have been the clearest path to the league, but he's here now, and that's all that matters.
Fitting in the rotation
With wide receivers DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel already in place in Carolina, and a number of new wide receiver signings this offseason, Roberts will be joining a deep receiving corps. But that's nothing new to him.
Whether it was in Baltimore or Oakland, Roberts always had top-tier receivers surrounding him, and he always found a way to produce. Each year, Roberts has put up consistent numbers across the board in yardage, receptions and touchdowns, even with high-profile names like Jordy Nelson, Amari Cooper or Marquise "Hollywood" Brown garnering more attention.
See photos of wide receiver Seth Roberts during his time in Baltimore and Oakland.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) makes a catch and carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Ravens won 31-15. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) makes a reception against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. The Titans won 28-12. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) makes a reception against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. The Titans won 28-12. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) on the sideline against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. The Titans won 28-12. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) is chased by Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Cory Littleton (58) as he runs with the ball after catching a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2019 in Los Angeles. The Ravens defeated the Rams 45-6. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) makes a catch and carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Ravens won 31-15. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Ravens won 31-15. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) runs for yardage after a catch during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Thursday Dec. 12, 2019 in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Jets 42-21. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) prepares to catch a touchdown pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson, not visible, as New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts, right, makes a touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson,not visible, as New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Ravens defeated the Rams 45-6. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Ravens defeated the Rams 45-6. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) takes a break in an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, in a pouring rain, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) runs the football during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Ravens defeated the Rams, 45-6. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts (11) stands on the field during the National Anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Cincinnati. The Ravens won 49-13. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Baltimore Ravens receiver Seth Roberts avoids a tackle while playing against the Cleveland Browns during a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Baltimore. The Browns defeated the Ravens, 40-25.(AP Photo/Brien Aho)
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) tackles Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Seth Roberts, top, during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Oakland Raiders receiver Seth Roberts catches the football as he warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 35-3. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 27-14. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) runs during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) catches a pass in front of Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) and strong safety Terrell Edmunds (34) during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) falls over Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Jahleel Addae (37) during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) catches a touchdown pass in an NFL game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Denver. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
