4 Curtis Samuel clones the Carolina Panthers can target this offseason
By Dean Jones
Curtis Samuel has departed the Carolina Panthers as expected, but there are some intriguing options available as potential replacements this offseason.
Although it is going to be a big blow for the Carolina Panthers, the departure of Curtis Samuel in free agency was expected. The wide receiver signed a big-money deal to reunite with former head coach Ron Rivera at the Washington Football Team, which was an offer the organization wasn’t ever going to match in the current financial climate.
This comes after Samuel went over 1,000 all-purpose yards for the first time in his career, which saw his asking price go through the roof despite the relatively quiet wide receiver market during the early stages of free agency. The former Ohio State star benefitted enormously from the absence of stud running back Christian McCaffrey for all-but three games, emerging as a dynamic weapon with dependability in crucial situations that was eye-catching, to say the least.
Samuel links up once again with his old Buckeye teammate Terry McLaurin, which is sure to be a prolific tandem for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to utilize. Washington managed to make the postseason in a dismal NFC East in 2020 and their recent moves in free agency should ensure they won’t be far away once again next time around.
Carolina Panthers might be keeping something back for Deshaun Watson.
As for the Panthers, they’ve focused their spare financial resources so far on the defensive side of the ball, no doubt keeping something back in the event they can somehow land Deshaun Watson in a bombshell trade from the Houston Texans.
However, they will still need to find someone who can replicate what Samuel brought to the table, although Brandon Zylstra, Keith Kirkwood, and undrafted free-agent Omar Bayless will be hoping for more in the way of activity next season.
Without further ado, here are four Curtis Samuel clones that the Panthers could target this offseason.