Free agent profiles: Curtis Samuel

With free agency looming around the corner, rumors have begun swirling about where certain free agents will end up next season. One free agent that hasn’t received a ton of buzz yet is Panthers WR Curtis Samuel.

Samuel, drafted in the second round with the 40th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has spent the first four years of his career in Carolina. Samuel was an electrifying dual-threat at Ohio State, finishing his collegiate career with over 1,000 yards in rushing and receiving. While he is a WR at the NFL level, Curtis’ rushing ability has still been utilized as he has rushed for 478 yards and five touchdowns through four seasons with the Panthers.

Samuel is entering free agency on the heels of his best season as a professional. In 2019, Samuel caught 77 passes for a career-high 851 receiving yards as well as three receiving touchdowns, with 320 yards coming after the catch. Samuel also rushed for a career-high 200 yards to go with two touchdowns on the ground.

Samuel may not be a big-name receiver, but he brings speed and playmaking ability to any offense that is willing to utilize him to his fullest potential. Spotrac.com currently has Samuel with a market value of four years for $49,966,076 with an average annual salary of $12.4 million.

The Ravens already have a similar player to Samuel in Devin Duvernay, who will be entering his second season, but you can never have enough playmakers to attack defenses with. Samuel could be used in a variety of creative ways with QB Lamar Jackson.