Carolina Panthers begin post-Cam Newton life in 7-round 2020 mock draft

K.J. Hill would be a fantastic fit with the Panthers in their current situation for a couple of reasons. The first of those reasons is a simple need for depth at wide receiver, specifically in regards to getting some help out of the slot. Jarius Wright occupied that role for Carolina last season but no one should expect him to be back in the fold in that role.

Beyond just filling the hole left by Wright and upgrading for him, having that type of player to play out of the slot plays into what this team needs to do as they build with Teddy Bridgewater, who they signed to a valuable free-agent contract. Bridgewater does not move the ball down the field on deep throws and works heavily with underneath routes. That plays right into Hill’s strengths at the position.

While at Ohio State, Hill thrived on quick and short routes out of the slot that allowed him to work underneath the defense and explode out of his breaks with great sells on his routes. Moreover, he showcased the ability to break tackles after making the grab, which means he can make modest gains into bigger plays with his vision and toughness when playing through contact.

Bridgewater taking over as the Panthers’ quarterback necessitates that the team does not just have big possession receivers or big-play guys on the offense. They also need players who can get open consistently in the short areas of the field. Hill is a player who fits that mold and will help the new Carolina quarterback and the offense as a whole reach their full potential.

Other Players Available: Jeremy Chinn, Ben Bartch, Saahdiq Charles