7 wide receivers the Panthers could select in the 2022 NFL Draft
Which wide receivers could the Carolina Panthers potentially select during the 2022 NFL Draft?
With the NFL transitioning more and more into a pass dominant league, surrounding your quarterback with as many good receivers as possible can go a long way. The Carolina Panthers currently have a very solid receiver duo – a trio if you want to include running back Christian McCaffrey – in D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson, but adding another piece wouldn’t hurt at all.
Moore is once again coming off of a very solid season. In a team that’s full of dysfunction, he has been the model of consistency for the Panthers, eclipsing 1,100 yards for the third consecutive year. His production has stayed the same while the quarterback play has been all over the place.
Anderson on the other hand took a massive dip after his breakout season in 2020. The former Temple star finished with just 53 receptions, 519 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, way down from the 95 receptions and 1,096 yards he posted during his opening campaign in Carolina.
Even though Anderson’s production was down, any quarterback would love to have both he and Moore on the other end of their passes. However, outside of these two, there isn’t much to get excited about with this group of receivers.
Many fans were excited for 2021 second-round pick Terrace Marshall Jr., who would be reconnecting with former offensive coordinator Joe Brady and was expected to see a lot of playing time as the team’s third receiver.
It’s fair to say Marshall’s debut season was very disappointing as he featured in 13 games and recorded just 17 receptions for 138 yards on the year. The LSU product was a healthy scratch in a few games so it’s not clear how this coaching staff views him heading into next season.
Carolina will also see Shi Smith and Brandon Zylstra return for another season.
Smith only saw the field in six games and recorded six receptions for 104 yards. As a South Carolina Gamecock, there are a lot of Panther fans who like the potential that the 2021 sixth-round pick brings to the table, but his recent arrest is another stumbling block that might not do his chances much good.
Zylstra on the other hand quietly had a solid season for someone who you would expect to only see the field on special teams. He ended the year as the third receiver on the depth chart and finished with 18 receptions, 250 yards, and one touchdown.
Rashard Higgins has joined the group through free agency and could provide some solid depth as the fourth or fifth option. Despite this, the Panthers should still be exploring the possibility of adding another player or two to this receiver group to compete in camp and give whoever it is they roll out at quarterback as much ammo as possible.
It’s a shame Carolina only has one pick in the first three rounds. Either way, here are seven wide receivers the Panthers could take a look at during the 2022 NFL Draft.