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Wide receivers the Redskins could consider trading for after Kelvin Harmon’s injury

By Jacob Camenker

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers runs up field during the second half of a pre-season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers runs up field during the second half of a pre-season game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 15: Curtis Samuel #10 of the Carolina Panthers during the second half during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 15: Curtis Samuel #10 of the Carolina Panthers during the second half during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

2. Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers

I know, I know. How many former Carolina Panthers does Ron Rivera need on his team? But the fact of the matter is that Curtis Samuel is a sensible option for Washington should they pursue a receiver on the trade market.

Rivera and Scott Turner are obviously familiar with Samuel and he is a natural fit in the Washington offense. Samuel was a college running back but converted to the receiver position at the NFL level. That said, the Panthers have used him in a variety of ways and when he has had the ball in his hands, he certainly has been productive.

The Panthers were rumored to be interested in trading Samuel ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. That didn’t end up happening, but here’s what I said about Samuel’s fit in Washington at that time.

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"Last season, Samuel had 54 catches for 627 yards and six touchdowns while playing with an injured Cam Newton, Kyle Allen, and Will Grier as his top quarterbacks. That’s not too bad, especially when considering that he added another 130 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Samuel would add another element of speed and versatility to the Redskins offense. Turner would already know how to use him and how to get him involved early and often to take some pressure of Dwayne Haskins. And having a veteran around who knows the system would surely give Haskins a chance to find success right off the bat. Though he’s a veteran, Samuel is still just 23 and won’t turn 24 until August. So, he’ll have a chance to continue to improve and may not hit his prime for another couple of years. That’s definitely a selling point for any team that may want him."

So Samuel has youth, versatility, and great athletic ability. What’s not to like?

Well, the hang-up might be the price. Samuel is set to be a free agent after the season so Washington wouldn’t want to give up much draft compensation considering that they could sign him after the season if they like him enough. Additionally, they already have a couple of Samuel-like players in Sims and Antonio Gibson. So, does it really make sense to acquire him unless he comes at a bargain price? That can be debated.

Either way, though, the Panthers may have some interest in moving Samuel if they can get better or equivalent value to the compensatory pick they’d receive for potentially losing him. They already have D.J. Moore in the fold and Matt Rhule and Co. signed Robby Anderson, Seth Roberts, Keith Kirkwood, and Pharoah Cooper in free agency this offseason. That doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to trade Samuel but they can do so while still having enough receiving depth to get by on offense.

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