Wide receiver Kevin Norwood escaped being cut by the Seattle Seahawks this offseason after he was traded to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional 2017 seventh round draft pick on Monday, as per ESPN.

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Carolina GM Dave Gettleman expressed optimism with their acquisition, saying that the 25-year-old former Alabama standout has the "size you look for along with toughness and smarts." The exec also admitted that they had been considering him to be a part of their team since before last year's draft and now the opportunity finally came.

The Panthers have lost their starting wideout, Kelvin Benjamin, due to an ACL injury he suffered during training camp. Their primary backup and potential Benjamin replacement, Devin Funchess, is also currently struggling with a recurring hamstring injury and would be doubtful to start on opening day.

Veteran backup Jerricho Cotchery is also reportedly coping with an injured groin, which means Norwood's arrival certainly gives Ron Rivera another reliable and much-needed option at the position.

Carolina's other starting wideout, sophomore Corey Brown, is healthy but had been struggling with his game as of late, which means if Funchess can be ready on opening night, Norwood might have to fill-in for Brown's spot.

The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta reported that Norwood's trade was one of the many Seahawks' moves last Monday, most of which are releases, in an effort to bring down their roster from 90 players to the 75 required by the league before the Tuesday deadline.

Condotta also mentioned that Seattle has a surplus of wide receivers at their disposal, including Kasen Williams and Kevin Smith, which made Norwood dispensable at their side.

Norwood was the Seahawks' fourth-round pick (123rd overall) in last year's draft and has appeared in nine regular season games for Pete Carroll after overcoming a foot surgery during the summer of 2014, according to the league's official website. He gained 102 yards in nine catches in the process and played decently this preseason.

With the Panthers' current need for a more reliable wide receiver, the Biloxi, Mississippi native surely has the chance to land a starting spot if he impresses Rivera enough before their season starts on September 13.

TagsNFL, NFL 2015, NFL news, NFL News 2015, NFL rumors, NFL Rumors 2015, Kevin Norwood, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers