In 2015, the Carolina Panthers went 15-1 and made the Super Bowl with a bunch of no-name wide receivers.

Despite the lack of name recognition, the group — which included Philly Brown, Jerricho Cotchery and Devin Funchess — still helped the offense gain the most yardage in the league over the course of the year.

In 2017, the Panthers once again enter the postseason with no-name receivers, but this time it is not so much of a good thing. The five, who coach Ron Rivera joked could be the owners of a law firm, are Funchess, Russell Shepard, Kaelin Clay, Brenton Bersin and Mose Frazier, and they have not excelled in the same way that the receivers did in 2015.

So, who will step up at this position to lead the Panthers in the playoffs?

In the regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, the five receivers combined for 99 yards on five catches from 12 targets. With speedsters Curtis Samuel and Damiere Byrd injured, the offense has lost the ability to take the top off a defense. This clearly affected the separation the Panthers’ receivers were able to get, as the Atlanta defense did not respect their speed.

If only there were a free agent receiver sitting on his couch at home that could blow the top off a defense … one who already knows the offense …

Enter Philly Brown.

In 2015, “Downtown” Philly Brown had 447 yards receiving for Carolina, one of three receivers on the team to reach 400. His four touchdowns and 14.4 yards per reception were third among Panthers receivers.

From the divisional round to the Super Bowl, Brown led all Carolina receivers in nearly every category. When the playoffs started, his game became a pivotal point for the offense. His yards per reception jumped up from 14.4 to 21.5, leading all receivers. His 215 yards in the playoffs were the most by a receiver on the team, and second in the playoffs among receivers. His 86-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the divisional round was the longest score of the season. His 80 yards in the Super Bowl led all receivers, and his 18-yard reception sparked the offense, albeit briefly, and almost brought them back in the game. If it weren’t for Aqib Talib knocking him out of the game on a questionable tackle, he may have led the comeback effort.

Head coach Ron Rivera is known for his “next man up” mentality, and in some cases, it has worked. But refusing to sign a known commodity with speed that can plug-and-play in a matter of days, and instead opting to play Mose Frazier (who does not have a single career reception) as the last receiver on game day is a questionable choice at best.

If the Panthers want a chance to beat the high-octane Saints in the playoffs, they will have to be able to match their scoring ability. And if Brown isn’t on the roster come game day, the team will have almost no chance at doing so.

So, the question isn’t who will step up to lead the Panthers’ receivers. Rather, the real question is whether the team will add the player who can turn the tide. If they don’t, Rivera’s team will go down in the first round of the playoffs due to his refusal to admit their current personnel simply is not enough to win this game.