Carolina Panthers: Can Curtis Samuel become a better dual-threat WR?

Could the Carolina Panthers enhance Curtis Samuel’s dual-threat potential next season?

The Carolina Panthers have a real conundrum on their hands with Curtis Samuel. The wide receiver is coming off the best season of his career. And 2020 has the scope to be another profitable campaign if the player takes another leap forward.

Samuel has suffered his fair share of injury problems since he was taken in the second round by the Carolina Panthers in 2017. The player finally looks over his niggling problems if 2019 is any indication. But it is essential that he builds on this momentum going forward.

Offensive coordinator Joe Brady appears keen to involve the former Ohio State standout more during his first season in the role. The Panthers have some formidable-looking weapons. So getting the balance will be crucial to any success that comes their way.

One thing that Samuel does have going for him is versatility. Samuel is an elusive character with the ball in his hands. And this can come either in passing or running situations.

According to Pro Football Focus, Samuel carried the ball more times than any other wide receiver in 2019. He got 18 carries for the Panthers, which was one more allocated to Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams.

The player made the most out of his opportunities when they came Samuel’s way. He gained 130 yards and a touchdown. But what was more impressive was his 6.1 yards-per-carry average.

This is a tool that Brady can definitely put to good use in 2020 and possibly beyond. Much will depend on Samuel’s contract situation. But the Panthers resisted the temptation to trade him during the NFL Draft. So they will get his services for at least one more year.

How much time will Curtis Samuel see running the ball for the Carolina Panthers?

With All-Pro Christian McCaffrey in the backfield. Any chance for Samuel or others to get their fair share of carries for the Carolina Panthers would be marginal.

The franchise also has high hopes for Reggie Bonnafon in the No. 2 spot. And this has the potential to leave the wideout on the outside looking in if he wants to get more of a role in this particular section of the playbook.

Samuel is also going to see plenty of time in the slot. And there should be some space to work in thanks to the presence of D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson on the outside. How the receiver gets on during the campaign will go a long way to determining whether Carolina will give him a multi-million-dollar extension next spring.

There is no doubt Brady is going to be creative when it comes to the tools at his disposal. This is something that was evident throughout his time with LSU’s historic passing attack last season. And the sky is the limit in terms of what Samuel can do in 2020.

The player must leave the coaching staff with no doubt regarding his ability to become an indispensable member of the roster. Whether this comes running the ball or working the slot is another matter. But there is little doubt that Samuel is more than capable of doing both.