Curtis Samuel

Despite playing with a below average QB and sharing targets with two quality receivers, Samuel had a breakout of sorts last year, setting career highs in catches, yards and yards per target. He also ran for 200 yards and two touchdowns. As a result, the Football Team signed him to a three-year, $34.5 million contract, making him the complement to rising star Terry McLaurin. At 5-11, 195, Samuel has average size, but like McLaurin, he can fly - 4.31 40, and his athletic marks are similarly superlative - 37-inch vertical, 133-inch broad jump. For 2021, the Team will feature two of the more explosive outside threats in the league. Moreover, the Team signed aging gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick, who won't shy away from taking chances downfield, even at the risk of interceptions and sacks. McLaurin is still the No. 1 option, and tertiary targets Cam Sims and Logan Thomas will have roles, but Samuel should figure prominently in the offense once he returns from a stint in IR that will cause him to miss at least three weeks to start the coming season.

Samuel disappointed in Year 3, despite seeing 105 targets. Part of that was due to Cam Newton being out most of the season and Kyle Allen not being an adequate replacement, but D.J. Moore's efficiency wasn't similarly affected. All told, Samuel managed 11.6 YPC and a meager 6.0 YPT, last among the league's 30 100-target receivers. As a result, the Panthers signed deep threat Robby Anderson to a twoyear deal, likely pushing Samuel to the No. 3 option, and that's not counting tailback Christian McCaffrey and his 142 targets. While newly signed Teddy Bridgewater should be an upgrade from Allen, it's hard to see him generating enough offense for four productive pass catchers. That said, Samuel could see more short, quick throws from the slot, and the offense under new coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady might be more innovative than last year's.

Injured for much of his rookie season, Samuel made strides in Year 2, though he missed the first three games of 2018 after having surgery to address an irregular heartbeat. In only 13 games, Samuel had seven TDs (five receiving, two rushing) and 578 scrimmage yards on 65 targets and eight carries. At 5-11, 195, he has average size but blazing speed (4.31 40) and top-notch athleticism - 37-inch vertical, 133-inch broad jump, i.e., he's a dangerous person with the ball in his hands. The problem for Samuel is the Panthers have two other versatile playmakers in Christian McCaffrey and last year's first-round pick D.J. Moore, a bigger, not-quite-as-fast WR who can also carry the ball. Assuming Cam Newton is healthy again after shoulder surgery, the entire Panthers passing game should be better, and the departure of Devin Funchess opens up 79 more targets. The Panthers signed Chris Hogan this offseason to be their bigger-bodied receiver, but it's a small, one-year deal, and there's no guarantee Hogan has a significant share of the offense. Bottom line, Samuel should have more opportunities Year 3, in what should be an improved passing attack. Don't forget to add some rushing stats to his totals.

Samuel was drafted in the second round last year as a utility player capable of adding devastating speed to the Panthers offense. However, injuries largely derailed his rookie campaign, leaving him in need of proving himself again this time around. With increased competition at wide receiver, Samuel may be restricted to certain packages that highlight his ability in space.

The Panthers' second round pick, Samuel finds himself in an interesting spot. While the team isn't deep at WR -- No. 1 option Kelvin Benjamin showed up to offseason activities in sub-optimal condition, and ostensible No. 2 Devin Funchess has been inconsistent -- it also drafted RB Christian McCaffrey in the first round, and the two have somewhat overlapping skill sets. At 5-11, 197, Samuel, is blazingly fast -- 4.31 40 -- and athletic -- 37-inch vertical and 133-inch broad jump. As such, he's dangerous with the ball in his hands, and a threat as a ballcarrier or receiver. Of course, much of that description could apply to McCaffery, so Samuel figures to be used mostly as a slot receiver. Don't expect much red-zone work, either -- tight end Greg Olsen and the 6-5 Benjamin are likely to dominate the targets down there.