News » Ian Thomas Jersey

The third-year receiver just might be the key to unlocking the Panthers passing game" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteCat Scratch Readera Carolina Panthers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsAboutPanthersOddsShopStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomThe Carolina Panthers need wide receiver Curtis Samuel to have a breakout 2019 seasonNew Ryan Kalil Color Rush Jersey ,39commentsThe third-year receiver just might be the key to unlocking the Panthers passing gameEDTShareTweetShareShareThe Carolina Panthers need wide receiver Curtis Samuel to have a breakout 2019 seasonJeremy Brevard-USA TODAY SportsThe Carolina Panthers need wide receiver Curtis Samuel to have a breakout season in 2019 in order to fully unlock the passing game (assuming, of course, both Cam Newton and Greg Olsen are healthy). The reason the Panthers need Samuel to “make the leap” is because of the interesting way the wide receiving corps is currently constructed. D.J. Moore is clearly positioned to be the top threat and has the potential to be a very good player. There is then a cluster of four receivers who are cut from a very similar cloth in Jarius Wright, Chris Hogan Graham Gano Jersey , Aldrick Robinson, and Torrey Smith. They are each veteran players who are capable of running the right routes, picking up timely first downs, and producing somewhere between 300 and 500 receiving yards in any given season. But let’s face it — Wright Julius Peppers Jersey , Hogan, Robinson, and Smith are not impact players. If a secret NFL laboratory mass produced perfectly capable but unspectacular wide receivers, these are the guys who would roll off the production line.That leaves us with Curtis Samuel. If Samuel can progress from “young player with potential” to “consistent impact player” the entire complexion of the passing game could change. If Curtis Samuel becomes a true weapon DJ Moore Color Rush Jersey , pairing him with D.J. Moore, Greg Olsen, Christian McCaffrey, and a wily vet like Jarius Wright could put some serious pressure on opposing secondaries. The good news for Panthers fans is there is reason to hope Samuel can make the leap in 2019. After an injury-plagues rookie season in 2017 James Color Rush Bradberry Jersey , Samuel went under the knife in September 2018 to fix an irregular heartbeat which caused a slow start to the year. Despite that setback he still produced 39 reception for 494 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games.What was most promising from last season is the speedy wideout got better as the year went along. Over the Panthers last five games he averaged four receptions for 59.6 yards per game. Pro Football Focus also highlighted his improvement as an outside wide receiver in 2018 when compared to his 2017 rookie season.Pro Football FocusIn order to fully unlock the passing game, the Panthers will need a legitimate secondary wide receiver to pair with D.J. Moore. With all due respect to the veteran receivers on the roster, it won’t be any of them. Here’s to hoping 2019 is the season that Curtis Samuel makes the leap from high potential to highly productive. CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-6)UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Gs Andrew Norwell and Amini Silatolu; DEs Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson; DT Star Lotulelei; QB Derek Anderson; TE Ed Dickson, Ss Jairus Byrd and Kurt Coleman; CB Teddy Williams; LB Andrew Gachkar; WR Brenton Bersin; RB Jonathan Stewart.RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: TE Scott Simonson; G David Yankey; WR Kaelin Clay; CB LaDarius Gunter.NEEDS: Panthers need thumper at safety after releasing Coleman Ian Thomas Jersey , as well as pass rushing defensive ends after release of Johnson and with 37-year-old Peppers’ future uncertain. Team allowed All-Pro guard Norwell to walk, but believes last year’s draft pick Taylor Moton can step into that spot. Center Ryan Kalil and outside linebacker Thomas Davis said they will retire after season, so it’s time to address those areas. Carolina cut Stewart, its all-time leading rusher; team needs complement to Christian McCaffrey in backfield. Finding speedy wide receiver remains priority. Don’t be surprised if Carolina drafts quarterback at some point and parts with Anderson.AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $24 million.—