The Panthers’ offense will look far different at the start of the 2023 season than it did at the conclusion of the previous campaign. Part of the reason for that is the changes made to the top of the team’s wide receiver depth chart.
D.J. Moore was a critical part of the package Carolina sent to the Bears for the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, a move which led to the arrival of quarterback Bryce Young but created a signficant vacancy at the WR spot. The Panthers responded by making pass-catching additions both in free agency and the draft.
In the span of a few days, veterans Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark were inked to three- and one-year contracts, respectively. The veteran tandem will give Young an experienced set of targets in his rookie season, but Carolina also used a second-round pick on Jonathan Mingo.
With those additions, questions were naturally raised regarding the future of incumbent Terrace Marshall.
The 2021 second-rounder played sparingly under ex-head coach Matt Rhule, putting up underwhelming numbers along the way. Rhule’s replacement with Steve Wilks opened the door to an increased workload, though, and Marshall totaled 490 yards and one touchdown on an average of 17.5 yards per reception in 2022.
He managed to carry that success over into spring practices, and The Athletic’s Joe Person notes that the LSU alum has earned himself a secure roster spot for this season.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Marshall demonstrated notable deep-threat and red zone abilities during his final two seasons in college and came to Carolina with considerable expectations. His 76% snap share last season demonstrated his ability to produce while handling a starter’s workload, though that figure could be under serious threat of dropping given the new faces in the team’s WR room.
Still, the fact that his short-term future is assured should allow him to at least play a signficant rotational role for Carolina’s new-look offense.
A step forward in production from Marshall would help the Panthers improve on their 29th-place finish in passing yards from last season, but it would also serve him well heading into the first offseason in which he will be eligible for an extension.
His performances in training camp and the preseason will be pivotal in determining where he stands in the receiver pecking order as he aims to make himself a long-term fixture for the team.
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