6 burning questions Carolina Panthers fans have ahead of Week 7

New roles for Carolina Panthers WRs

Which WR slides into that other boundary role? Should Terrace Marshall Jr. get used as a big slot? – Kyle

Thank you for your question, Kyle. Welcome to the Cat Crave mailbag.

Following the departure of Matt Rhule, it seemed inevitable that Robbie Anderson was spending his last days on the Carolina Panthers. Who would trade for him and when were the biggest questions, which were answered by the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.

So, who takes over what role?

Let’s start with Terrace Marshall Jr., the Panthers’ second-round selection in 2021. It’s now time to see what the team has in the wideout, who has talent and flashed two weeks ago against the San Francisco 49ers.

To answer Kyle’s question about whether Marshall Jr. should be used as a big slot, I would tend to agree. However, I’ve always seen him as a “Z” type of receiver. The “X” role is solely D.J. Moore’s and that is not changing anytime soon. The LSU product has the size, length, and ball skills to be successful in that role.

However, success hasn’t been a thing for the Panthers’ offense since maybe Week 1.

I do expect Shi Smith to be the starting slot receiver and maybe we’ll see Marshall Jr. line up as the big slot at times. That role could also go to Laviska Sheanult Jr. I believe that when and if he is healthy, the multi-purpose weapon could provide a much-needed spark for the offense.

These next couple of months will be big for Marshall Jr. and Smith’s future roles on the team after the 2022 season concludes.