CHARLOTTE – The Panthers acquired an explosive offensive weapon in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, selecting former Maryland wide receiver DJ Moore with the 24th overall pick. Moore was the first wideout selected in the draft.

"I'm ecstatic. I'm happy. I cried a little, but I'm happy," said Moore, who watched the draft with family and friends at his home in Philadelphia. "It was a sigh of relief to be able to get that call. Once I saw North Carolina come up on my phone, I was like, "OK, this is the pick.' "

Moore said that the Panthers expressed interest in the possibility of picking him in the first round during the pre-draft process.

"It feels great just to know that what I did in college didn't go unnoticed by the coaching staff," Moore said. "When they came to my pro day, I just lit it up for them."

The 6-foot, 210-pound Moore was outstanding as a junior for the Terrapins in 2017. Playing with four different quarterbacks during the course of the season, he posted 80 receptions for 1,033 yards with eight touchdown catches and was named Big Ten Receiver of the Year.

Moore's career totals include 146 receptions, 2,027 yards and 18 total touchdowns.

Moore described himself as an exciting player that has run-after-the-catch ability.

"At the same time, you're going to get a hard worker, somebody that's going to know the game plan week in and week out," he said. "I'm just going to come in there, learn as much as possible and be ready to go."

Barring a trade, the Panthers' next pick is No. 55 overall, a second-round selection to be made when the NFL Draft continues Friday evening. Carolina is also slated to make a pair of third-round choices to wrap up Friday – at No. 85 (acquired from the Bills in the Kelvin Benjamin trade) and 88.