Panthers No. 81: The unknown quantity of WR TreVontae Hights

What could unknown quantity TreVontae Hights bring to the Carolina Panthers at a wide receiver position which appears strong heading into 2020?

We are now just 81 days away from the Carolina Panthers returning to the field in a competitive setting. They will take on the Las Vegas Raiders in their season opener, which represents a good chance to get off to a winning start during a campaign that is going to be full of twists and turns.

The 2020 season is going to tell us a significant amount about what sort of direction the Carolina Panthers are going in. They have made substantial changes to their roster this offseason. And their coaching staff also has little NFL experience.

Each member of the Panthers will be learning on the job. And how they develop as a unit against some quality opposition is going to be crucial in their pursuit of becoming a contender in the not-too-distant future.

Continuing our countdown feature ahead of week one, we now turn our attention to Carolina’s No. 81. TreVontae Hights is a wide receiver who has a chance to stake a claim for the 53-man roster after going undrafted. But little is known about the recruit going into a reduced training camp.

Although the incoming prospect had four seasons at TCU. He wasn’t exactly a prominent feature on offense and it remains to be seen whether he can buck this trend at the next level.

Hights totaled 14 receptions for 327 yards and three touchdowns during his time with the Bullfrogs. But this also included an eye-catching yards-per-catch average of 23.4.

One could suggest that this figure alone might have been enough for the Panthers to take a chance on Hights heading into training camp. The wideout has good size at 6-foot-3 and is quick enough to stretch the field. But to say he is raw coming into the NFL would be something of an understatement.

What chance does TreVontae Hights have of making the Carolina Panthers 53-man roster?

There is little doubting Matt Rhule’s knowledge of the college system. He has masterminded Baylor and Temple’s turnaround in fortunes in recent years. And this has earned the head coach a sense of trust when it comes to his choices for prospects entering the league this year.

Wide receiver is one of the most loaded areas of the Carolina Panthers. They have a cemented top-three in D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Curtis Samuel. Players such as Pharoh Cooper, Keith Kirkwood, and Seth Roberts will also be looking for game time in rotational roles. So Hights has his work cut out to make his presence felt from the outset.

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That being said, if Hights can do enough to become a part of the practice squad in 2020. Then this has the chance to do wonders for his overall development.

He will get the chance to learn from experienced veterans about just what it takes to achieve something in the NFL. And it will also provide him with essential development on his own skillset from Carolina’s coaching staff.

It would be foolish to expect too much from an unknown quantity such as Hights. He does have some nice physical tools to work with. But it would be wise for the organization to take their time with him and let the player develop at his own pace.

The NFL is full of unfancied players that eventually make their mark. The Panthers have plenty of intriguing prospects joining the fold from their picks and undrafted signings. And it will be interesting to see just how much Hights can do in such a short space of time.