NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Could Saquon Barkley fall to the Redskins at No. 13?

The Carolina Panthers have a problem at the wide receiver position. Devin Funchess is their No. 1 receiver, an underwhelming option in his own right, and behind him, there are almost no names worth recognizing as reliable targets. That needs to change. And with the NFL Draft selection of James Washington, it can.

Catching passes from Mason Rudolph, Washington thrived at the University of Oklahoma State. He amassed over 1,000 yards in his final three seasons, and in his final two, he eclipsed 70 receptions, solidifying himself as a clear No. 1 receiver in a pass-heavy offense.

Teams will have a large sample size from which to gather information on James Washington, and they will all likely come away with the same conclusion: This kid can play.

Washington is a receiver who wins battles, not just with his physicality and balance, but also with his quick feet and lateral agility. Washington has a background as a tennis player, meaning he needs brisk feet to stay one step ahead of his opponent. At 6-foot-0, 205, he has good size for battling for yards after the catch. He’s a player who doesn’t go down easily. He’s slippery and strong at the same time, and that is a combination that can be deadly in the NFL.

Washington is the perfect receiver for Cam Newton. He’s athletic enough where he can grab the balls that are just a little too high, and he can also take short passes and use his elusive abilities to keep moving the football down the field. The Panthers have a big-bodied receiver in Finches. Now they just need the jack-of-all-trades. Washington is a player who can be that for them.