PHOTO/CAROLINA PANTHERS

Former Ohio State receiver Curtis Samuel adds versatility at the skill positions for the Carolina Panthers, who drafted him second in last week’s NFL Draft.

Christmas has come for Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

By drafting Western Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Moton 64th overall, the Panthers sent a message to the NFL: this offense has the potential to do some damage.

Carolina selected similar players in Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and Ohio State wide receiver Curtis Samuel. They completed the puzzle in front of Newton by picking Moton. Both McCaffrey and Samuel stand 5-foot-11 and roughly 200 pounds and offer Newton options to open up the offense on the ground or in the air. McCaffrey concluded his junior year first in the nation with an average of 211.6 all-purpose yards per game.

“We can both be in the backfield with Cam,” said Samuel, a first team All-America as a junior with the Buckeyes. “They’re going to use me primarily as a slot receiver. That’s why they brought me in.”

Said McCaffrey of Newton calling him after his selection: “Just to know that I have probably the most talented quarterback in the National Football League who I’m going to be lining up next to, to call me and talk ball and welcome me to the family is pretty cool.”

Samuel saw significant stints at running back and receiver at Ohio State. His numbers last season: 13 games with 74 receptions for 865 yards and seven touchdowns, and 97 carries for 771 yards, scoring eight touchdowns.

“We’ve had a really good day,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “With Curtis we have ‘oh my gosh’ speed. He’s really a talented kid. We feel we’ve really added an offensive playmaker with him. He presents himself really well—he’s a class kid. We’re thrilled to have him. Obviously another kid with flexibility. He’s got a lot, a lot of tools.”

With the departure of wide receiver Ted Ginn to New Orleans via free agency, edge speed became a priority for Carolina.
“You guys saw the three years that Teddy was here the effect of having someone take the top off coverage, well this kid [Samuel] is that fast,” Gettleman said. “He’s been bounced between running back and wide, and he’s shown the ability to catch the ball down the field over his head and all that stuff. He’s got really good quickness in and out of his routes. He’s got really good inside run skills. He’s got the speed to cross formation. He’s got the speed to go the distance.”

Said coach Ron Rivera: “When we lost Teddy to free agency [speed] became our priority.”

Former starting right tackle Mike Remmers signed with Minnesota during the offseason, which left a hole in the offensive line. In turn, the Panthers signed left tackle Matt Kalil, brother of Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil. With Michael Oher missing significant time due to concussion symptoms last season, Carolina’s offensive line needs work. With Moton, the Panthers have the option to place him at either right tackle or right guard.

“He’s 6-foot-5-inches,” Gettleman said. “He’s 320 pounds. He’s a big powerful kid. He’s very smart. He’s tough.”

Said Moton: “I’ll do whatever I can to open up holes.”

Rivera likes the flexibility Moton provides at tackle or perhaps guard.

“Probably the biggest thing he gives us too is that added depth at tackle,” Rivera said. “That’s the one thing that we have to have. It was a tough pill to swallow having to do the things we did, because of the injuries we had. This gives us a guy that’s played, and has been very healthy for the most part. You want to have as many of those guys going into camp and competing. That’s one of the best things that we have right now, is we’ve created some really good competitive positions.”

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