5 AFC West free agents the Carolina Panthers might target in 2021
By Dean Jones
Tyrell Williams – WR
- 2020 team – Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders made an expected move when they released Tyrell Williams recently. This saves them more than $11 million on their salary-cap and it gives the wide receiver a head start on finding a new home in free agency.
It doesn’t appear likely that the Carolina Panthers will be able to keep Curtis Samuel around in 2021. So they’ll need to find another reliable catching presence who could make a real difference if the former Ohio State standout does move on to pastures new.
Williams might not be anywhere near as elusive as Samuel. But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t help the Panthers at the right price.
He is a big body who uses his frame extremely well. However, the wideout missed the entire 2020 campaign due to a torn labrum in his shoulder that is a potential red flag for anyone looking to bring him to their organization.
Considering the payoff Williams just received from the Raiders and the obvious injury concerns, perhaps an incentivized deal is all Carolina or anybody else would be offering at this juncture. There is some high upside where the former Western Oregon sensation is concerned and his 197
receptions, 3,181 receiving yards, and 23 touchdowns from 69 career games represent some solid production.
One could argue Williams boasts a similar skill set to Robby Anderson. But considering how physical he is at the line of scrimmage, it would be a prominent target in the red zone that would be a welcome addition in critical situations.