Carolina Panthers rookie wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. has garnered quite an amount of attention this summer. But there’s another Panther, who is also a first-year receiver, that deserves some of that early spotlight as well.
According to Pro Football Focus, Shi Smith is currently Carolina’s highest-graded player on offense through the team’s first two preseason games. The 2021 sixth-round pick has turned his fair share of heads thus far, already exhibiting his maturity as a pass catcher and his undeniable big-play ability.
Shi Smith is the #Panthers highest graded player (77.7) on offense through their first two games (min 25 snaps).#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/ebYQv7O6Ew
— PFF CAR Panthers (@PFF_Panthers) August 23, 2021
Smith has totaled 61 yards on just three catches between his outings against the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, which is good enough for a hefty average of 20.3 yards per reception. Each of the three grabs resulted in first downs, coming of the 26-yard, 18-yard and 17-yard varieties.
His output is even more impressive when you consider he’s been on the field for just 35 snaps. That total accounts for approximately 34 percent of the Panthers’ offensive plays.
There’s no doubt Smith has shined (Shi-ned . . . ?). And as he continues to do so, there’s also no denying him his rightful spot on the upcoming 53-man roster.
