Generally unsung but never unwanted, free agent wide receiver Ricky Proehl is on the move again after reaching a contract agreement with the Carolina Panthers that will enable him to finish his career close to where he starred in college.

Proehl, a 13-year veteran and former Wake Forest star, has been one of the NFL's best slot receivers over the last several seasons. His three-year contract with Carolina is worth $3 million.

His acquisition continues a Panthers effort to upgrade their offense. In less than two weeks the franchise has re-signed incumbent starting quarterback Rodney Peete and signed free agent Jake Delhomme to challenge Peete for the starting job. Carolina also added tailback Stephen Davis and guard Doug Brzezinski.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney outhustled the Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams to land the much-respected Proehl, who played the past five seasons for the Rams. The Cardinals were attempting to arrange a visit for this week and the Rams wanted Proehl, 35, to return on a one-year contract that would have paid the minimum base salary of $755,000.

Proehl will provide veteran leadership and should be a dependable third-down receiver for the Panthers. Scouts have not discerned any dropoff in his speed and believe Proehl is still a reliable safety net for quarterbacks.

Long adjudged to be suffering from a case of the "terrible toos" -- too slow, too small, and too old -- Proehl traditionally ranks among the NFL leaders in first downs per reception and is typically very effective in the red zone.

Despite not starting more than nine games since 1998 and registering only 10 total in the past four seasons, Proehl is on the cusp of breaking into the 600-receptions club. Among his career statistics are 580 catches for 7,521 yards and 46 touchdowns. Last season, playing in all 16 games, he had 43 catches for 466 yards and four scores.

Proehl has played for Arizona (1990-94), Seattle (1995-96), Chicago (1997) and St. Louis (1998-2002).

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.