Bengals: 3 free agents that could alter 2021 NFL Draft plans
By Mark Sipos
2. Curtis Samuel, Wide Receiver/Running Back/Offensive Weapon
Cincinnati has a couple different options to explore at wide receiver this off-season: Do they look to add a true top receiver in the draft or free agency, or do they look to add more of a depth piece and let Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins be the top two? With Burrow showing chemistry with both Boyd and Higgins, it could make sense for the Bengals to look into a third wide receiver who can add speed and become a deep threat for Burrow. Curtis Samuel is that, plus more.
The former Buckeye, Samuel was actually teammates with Burrow at Ohio State in 2015 and 2016, so they know each other well. Samuel has had an interesting start to his career so far. It seems that he finally found his footing, setting new career highs in receptions (77), yards (851), rushing attempts (41), rushing yards (200) and rushing touchdowns (two).
The Carolina Panthers mixed up his role nicely, showing off his versatility and playmaking ability. Samuel has had four touchdowns over 40 yards, including a 45 yard rushing touchdown this past year. When targeted, quarterbacks had a passer rating of 109.2, which would have been good for third for starting NFL quarterbacks.
Samuel’s fit with the Bengals would be very clear: Move Samuel around the field, design some screens and rushing opportunities for him, and let him do the rest. Samuel adds a playmaking ability that Cincinnati currently does not possess. Samuel will be asking for top dollar, but will likely settle into a contract that ranges from three to four years around $10 million per year. Signing Samuel would eliminate drafting a wide receiving with this years fifth overall pick, although they could add another receiver in the later rounds of the draft.