What can the Carolina Panthers expect from Shi Smith in 2021?

What can the Carolina Panthers expect from talented wide receiver Shi Smith after they took him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft?

The Carolina Panthers had plenty of weapons available in the passing game before the 2021 NFL Draft. They did lose Curtis Samuel when he signed for the Washington Football Team in free agency, but it wasn’t exactly a positional group needing substantial reinforcements compared to other areas of the roster.

That did not stop the Panthers from selecting two wideout prospects over the three-day recruitment period. Carolina used the No. 59 overall selection on Terrace Marshall Jr. out of LSU and they went back for another wideout in the sixth round that also enters the league with a high amount of upside.

Shi Smith enjoyed a sensational college career at South Carolina that was littered with memorable highlights. The wideout is a smooth route-runner who creates separation quickly, possessing the sort of ball skills that could make him a potential steal with a smooth transition to the next level.

Smith recorded 57 receptions for 633 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his final season with the Gamecocks. He did his best work out of the slot and matched this with a starring display during team drills in front of Carolina’s coaching staff at the 2021 Senior Bowl before injury prevented him from participating in the actual game.

Shi Smith could carve out a big role with the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers saw enough to suggest Smith might be of some use, although just how many targets he’ll generate as a rookie is another matter entirely.

There are a lot of mouths to feed in the passing game that could result in Smith playing a bit-part role initially. But he should be able to make his presence felt on special teams as a kick returner while waiting for his chance.

That being said, if Smith displays the sort of qualities he undeniably has during training camp, then it might come with an important role from the word go.

Carolina will be without a prominent slot weapon after deciding to let Samuel walk. So an opportunity might be coming the rookie’s way if he shows enough against more experienced opposition.

Smith will be one of the players who could benefit most from preseason games returning to the calendar before Carolina’s Week 1 opener against the New York Jets. If he can make the most out of whatever targets come his way and display the right sort of attitude, then it might force the Panthers into a change in outlook when the No. 204 selection is concerned.

This is the sort of player the Panthers clearly love. Smith is athletic, versatile, isn’t afraid of the big moment, and can turn any game on its head at the drop of a hat.

There are some slight character concerns that surfaced during the evaluation process. But this is pretty minor and something Carolina clearly thought wasn’t going to be an issue at the next level.

Low risk, high reward is the best way one could describe the Panthers taking Smith.

He has some work to do in order to carve out a role. But this is a challenge the wideout is sure to relish.