4 positions the Carolina Panthers shouldn’t draft in round one
By Dean Jones
Wide receiver
The prospect of losing wide receiver Curtis Samuel is a real one for the Carolina Panthers. His level of production this season has been outstanding and this won’t have gone unnoticed by other teams looking to get a dual-threat weapon to their organization.
Had the salary-cap continued to increase and not diminish due to COVID-19 revenue losses, then there is every chance the Panthers might have been able to keep both Samuel and Taylor Moton this offseason rather than choose between the two.
If it comes down to this, there is only one winner.
Moton will rightfully take preference, especially considering how many changes might be made elsewhere on the line of scrimmage. Samuel’s departure would leave a big hole, of that there is little doubt, and although the temptation might be there if the likes of Ja’Marr Chase or Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith somehow make it to Carolina at No. 8 overall, they should not pull the trigger.
That has nothing to do with the talent of either prospect – and there is also the immensely gifted Jaylen Waddle to consider – but this would be seen as a luxury pick that the Panthers simply cannot afford at this juncture.
Taking a wideout or two, later on, is something well worth considering.
But not with their top-10 pick.