Carolina Panthers: 4 undrafted free agents who could make the roster
By Dean Jones
Omar Bayless – WR (Arkansas State)
It was somewhat surprising that a team did not take a late-round flyer on prolific wide receiver Omar Bayless. Their loss could be the Carolina Panthers’ gain if the player demonstrates the same sort of productivity in the pros as he showed during his final year in the college system.
Bayless was virtually unstoppable for the Red Wolves in 2019 on his way to 93 receptions, 1,653 yards, and 17 touchdowns. He has exceptional footwork that allows him to make sharp cuts and give opposing cornerbacks nightmares.
The prospect was used primarily as a vertical threat in college, so he will need to refine his route-running to make a go of things in the NFL. Bayless is not going to blow you away with speed. But he does have a big frame that he uses to full effect.
Bayless is also a useful asset to have in critical areas such as third downs and in the red zone. He has good hands and has no trouble claiming the ball in traffic.
Where Bayless will fit into a wide receiver room that has two primary starters in D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson remains to be seen. The Panthers also avoided the temptation of trading Curtis Samuel during the draft. If Bayless does eventually make the roster it is expected that targets will be few and far between during the early stages of his development.