Sammy Watkins rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

2. Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton takes a lot of shots on and off the field. While some of the criticisms are fully warranted, one that may be out of line is harping on his completion percentage and ability to be a traditional quarterback. Putting aside the fact that his other-worldly running ability is a huge advantage, Newton is lacking any type of reliable top end speed from his receiving corps. Sorry, Damiere Byrd doesn’t count when he has 11 receptions over a two-year career. He is insanely fast but yet to prove to be reliable.

Newton used to throw to Kelvin Benjamin as his number one and let’s just call a spade a spade- Benjamin is not a fast receiver. Devin Funchess enjoyed a career season in 2017 but he also wouldn’t be confused with a speed demon anytime soon. Watkins would bring a new dimension to the Panthers offense.

Newton has a career average of 12.5 yards per completion. For context, Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ career mark is 11.3. Newton loves to get the ball downfield and Watkins would mesh very well with the talented quarterback and with the Panthers offense as a whole. With Watkins as a number one, Funchess and tight end Greg Olsen would work the intermediate and short areas of the field.

Running back Christian McCaffrey is entering his second year and Newton is till learning how to unleash his full abilities as a pass catching back. That doesn’t even account for McCaffrey on the ground, as he hasn’t yet reached his potential as a pure running back. Watkins would bring the speed element that is sorely lacking for Carolina and open up the entire playbook. It would be great to see Newton with a legitimate deep option to use his bazooka arm more often.