Heading into the 2023 season, Panthers wide receiver Shi Smith has his work cut out for him. Carolina has added several new bodies to the receiver room this offseason and because of it, Smith could be on the outside looking in for a spot on the team's 53-man roster.
Smith saw minimal action during his rookie season catching just six passes for 104 yards in six games but did get more of a look this past year, appearing in all 17 games recording 22 receptions for 296 yards and two scores.
Most NFL teams typically carry five to six receivers on the active roster, a few will hold onto as many as seven. With Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Terrace Marshall Jr., Laviska Shenault, and Jonathan Mingo having spots secured, it leaves likely one spot left. Will it be Smith? Or for the veteran Damiere Byrd, who adds value on special teams and as a depth WR?
It's also possible that someone like Derek Wright or Gary Jennings could fight their way onto the roster as well. Wright has looked solid during OTAs and Jennings has top-end speed to go with a nice 6'2", 211-pound frame, making the former XFL'er an intriguing prospect.
There will be plenty of competition for that final spot (or two) in the receiver room at training camp, so if the former 2021 sixth-round pick wants to stick around, he has to become more consistent catching the football.
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