4 free-agent returners the Carolina Panthers could sign in 2021
By Dean Jones
Andre Roberts
- 2020 team – Buffalo Bills
With the Carolina Panthers set to lose the services of Curtis Samuel in free agency, getting in a kick returner who could also assist in the passing game might be the smart way to go. Keith Kirkwood and Brandon Zylstra signed one-year extensions to prepare for this eventuality, although much more will be needed if the former Ohio State standout takes his chances elsewhere on a big-money deal.
Someone like Andre Roberts would be a tremendous asset to call upon. The wideout has spent the last two seasons with the Buffalo Bills and has made a telling contribution on special teams, averaging 30 yards per kick return in 2020 from 32 attempts.
Despite being in what some would call the twilight of his career, Roberts doesn’t have much mileage on the tires in terms of usage and remains incredibly elusive. The third-round pick in 2010 has been targeted just seven times in the passing game over the last two seasons, so the promise of more activity in Joe Brady’s scheme would be a hard offer to turn down.
Buffalo won’t want to lose a key component from their roster and the All-Pro probably has a better chance of lifting a Super Bowl with the Bills than he would in Carolina at this precise moment. However, with money being what it is across the league in the current climate, veteran players will be chasing dollars and financial security this offseason almost as much as titles.