4 Panthers players who could emerge as full-time starters in 2022
By Preston Seyl
Shi Smith- Carolina Panthers WR
Terrace Marshall Jr.’s injury problems remain a frustration for the Carolina Panthers. This could lead to a change at the No. 3 wide receiver position.
Marshall is a fantastic prospect coming out of LSU. He is still labeled as this due to his lack of reps and inability to stay healthy, which was once again evident this summer thanks to some soft tissue complications that halted some encouraging progression throughout camp in Spartanburg.
When Marshall does see the field, there wasn’t much production to shout about as a rookie. Couple this with all the speculation surrounding his future this summer, and it’s not hard to see why momentum is growing around Shi Smith.
The South Carolina product has come in and gotten a jump on the learning curve along with all the reps Marshall is missing. Smith arguably had the best camp out of any wide receiver, constantly making plays in practice with new quarterback Baker Mayfield.
This ongoing chemistry between the two and Smith’s playmaking abilities when the ball is thrown his way is very impressive. Something that could lead to significantly more involvement for the player in 2022.
If Marshall continues to miss games and not produce, Smith will come in as the new WR3 and the offense won’t miss a beat based on what we’ve seen throughout the offseason so far.