Panthers 2021 Draft: One wide receiver target for every round
By Dean Jones
Round 6
Marquez Stevenson – Houston
Marquez Stevenson boosted his stock more than most by attending the 2021 Senior Bowl. His ability to get open quickly during one-on-one drills was eye-catching, to say the least. So if the Carolina Panthers choose to wait until the later rounds to boost this positional group they could do far worse than look in his direction.
Stevenson was a prolific wide receiver at Houston to boost career stats of 147 receptions, 2,269 receiving yards, 22 touchdowns, and a 15.4 yards-per-catch average. His best work comes out of the slot, which Carolina needs more of in no uncertain terms if Curtis Samuel walks and he could be a high-value selection if he makes it to the sixth round.
Round 7
T.J. Vasher – Texas Tech
This might not be as deep a draft class at wide receiver as what arrived into the league in 2020, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some diamonds in the rough on day three that Carolina could pick up. New general manager Scott Fitterer built a strong reputation for identifying players like this during his time with the Seattle Seahawks and if he can do so again in a different environment, it will stand the Panthers in good stead.
T.J. Vasher might fall into this category. He is a supreme physical specimen at 6-foot-6 and brings something a little bit different that might be of use, especially in the red zone.
Vasher is a work in progress, of that there is little doubt. But if he can get time to develop at his own pace, then someone could have a real steal on their hands.