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Panthers vs. Rams: 3 offensive weapons to impact first regular season game

By Josh Altorfer

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 28: DJ Moore #12 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 28: DJ Moore #12 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Curtis Samuel #10 of the Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 24: Curtis Samuel #10 of the Carolina Panthers returns the opening kickoff against the New England Patriots during their game at Bank of America Stadium on August 24, 2018, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Impact player to watch: WR Curtis Samuel

No player has gotten more praise throughout Panthers training camp than wide receiver Curtis Samuel. Samuel is entering his third season in the NFL, which is notoriously a breakout year for wide receivers.

The Panthers parted ways with veteran receivers Devin Funchess and Torrey Smith in the offseason. Funchess was targeted 79 times last year and Smith was targeted 31 times. That leaves a total of 110 targets that need to be replaced by guys like Samuel and D.J. Moore.

If Samuel can play well against the Rams stout defense he will be able to take a lot of pressure off other guys on the offense like Newton and McCaffrey. Samuel excels on deep passing plays that can help the Panthers pick up chunks of yardage. This will reduce some of those dink-and-dunk passing plays that Carolina relied on so heavily last season.

If he is able to stretch the field and keep the Ram’s defensive backs on their heels, then the Panthers will have the middle and short passing plays wide open. This is the part of the field where McCaffrey and tight end Greg Olsen can do some damage.

Watch for Samuel to catch a deep pass or two. If he does he can make a big impact on the outcome of the first game of the season.

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