Brandon Zylstra – Carolina Panthers WR
The competition for places is going to be fierce within the wide receiver room throughout the summer. Something that is nothing new to Brandon Zylstra.
Zylstra has had to fight for everything during his career, emerging from the Canadian Football League to the Minnesota Vikings and eventually to the Carolina Panthers, where he defied the odds to make the roster and carve out a decent role for himself along the way.
Last season was another step in the right direction for Zylstra, who emerged as a dependable target in the passing game and a core special teams presence to further enhance his overall influence.
The former Concordia-Moorhead standout brought in 72 percent of targets for 250 receiving yards and one touchdown in 2021. Carolina added to their wideout options with the likes of Charleston Rambo, Rashard Higgins, and Andrew Parchment this offseason, so it’s a case of impressing all over again where Zylstra is concerned.
What’s important for Zylstra is picking up new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s scheme quickly and taking chances when they arrive. If the veteran can accomplish this, then everything else should fall into place.
Zylstra knows the Carolina set-up and what is expected. Something that should provide a nice head start during what is sure to be a fierce battle for depth-chart status.