4 players the Panthers could have drafted instead of Terrace Marshall Jr.

Carolina Panthers could have drafted Trey Smith

• No. 226 overall selection – Kansas City Chiefs

I may be slightly harsh on the Carolina Panthers here by including Trey Smith as he was taken four rounds after Terrace Marshall Jr. But as the organization decided to draft a long snapper in Thomas Fletcher just before the lineman – a rookie that couldn’t beat out JJ Jansen for the starting job – I’m including him.

Smith was another all-rookie selection who already looks like one of the biggest draft steals in recent memory. The Tennessee product was a first-round talent but slipped down to the sixth-round due to medical concerns during his time in college. However, the Panthers will certainly be regretting not selecting the player with one of their 11 draft picks.

The first-year-pro immediately earned the starting job at right guard protecting Patrick Mahomes and ended the season with a 72.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. He allowed only four sacks on almost 1,200 offensive snaps played.

Compare this to the Panthers starting guard John Miller, who conceded seven sacks from 656 snaps and secured a 52.1 grade from PFF. He also said in one post-match press conference “sacks happen” – make of that what you will.

While it’s understandable the Panthers didn’t select Smith due to his medical concerns, with the Carolina wasting a pick on Fletcher, it would have been risk-free if it didn’t work out. As it turned out, everyone else’s loss was Andy Reid’s gain.

With the Panthers looking for a starting right guard in 2022, Carolina will look on enviously at what is happening at ArrowHead stadium where Smith is concerned.