Carolina Panthers: Curtis Samuel adds dynamic element to offense
Choosing Curtis Samuel with their second pick helps the Carolina Panthers by adding another weapon to the offense.
The 2017 NFL Draft now sits in the past as teams and fans continue to review every single pick. The Carolina Panthers came into the draft with the need to fill a number of voids on the offense. Cam Newton is a dynamic player, but he cannot carry the load on his own. With their second pick in the draft (40th overall) the Panthers selected Ohio State wide receiver, Curtis Samuel.
When talking about Samuel, the focus immediately turns to his game changing speed. He put up an impressive 4.31-second time in the 40-yard dash at the Combine, which turned heads coming into the draft.
The most obvious benefit is the fact that he can help replace what the Panthers lost in Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn joined the New Orleans Saints during the offseason, creating a void in the slot and down the field. Ginn’s most productive seasons came while playing with Newton who looked to him to stretch the field. Samuel can assist the Panthers in the same way.
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He averaged 11.7 yards per reception in three years with the Buckeyes, a trend that could continue in Carolina. When paired with the size of Greg Olsen, Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess, Samuel becomes an immediate threat on the field.
Then there’s the Panthers running attack. Carolina uses a running back by committee, which included the use of their wide receivers in trick plays. Samuel can fill that role as he has experience playing out of the backfield. In his three years at Ohio State he earned 1,286 yards on the ground and 15 touchdowns.
That experience is valuable to a team that is prepared to make a transition in their running attack. Christian McCaffery is coming in as a potential replacement to Jonathan Stewart and having Samuel as a relief helps keep the pressure of him and Newton.
Another potential impact, but less likely, is whether or not Samuel will play a part in the return game. The special teams unit has struggled in recent games to remain a threat to opposing defenses and help the Panthers win the field position battle. Adding both McCaffery and Samuel gives the Panthers two players whom can have an impact on the special teams unit next season, but their long term worth may see them taken out of those slots for protection.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Every team's worst pick
The Panthers went into the draft looking to find weapons that can help build this offense. The team came into 2016 with a strong unit on paper, but they failed to live up to expectations. The addition of these names through the draft helps kick start the offense and Curtis Samuel has the potential to be a threat as both a running back and a wide receiver. It’s too early to tell, but the Panthers may have picked up a very valuable player with their second selection in the draft.