I thought we’d go back at Carolina’s history of selecting receivers in the second round of the NFL Draft, because everyone is projecting a wide receiver to the Panthers in 2024.
Really, it’s a mixed bag. Some are quite excellent, some truly awful, and some in between.Muhammad Muhsin (1996)
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I mean, this man didn’t seem that bad? “Moose” was an All-Pro in 2004 after recording a career-high 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns, and he was a two-time Pro Bowler. He played for the Panthers for two stints totaling eleven years, and he left as one of the greatest players to wear a Panther uniform. In terms of yards (9,255), touchdowns (50), and receptions (696), he presently holds the second-place record in franchise history.
putting Steve Smith Sr. behind you.
Colbert, Keary (2004)
Colbert caught 47 passes for 754 yards and five scores in his impressive debut season in Carolina. Following that? Everything became worse. Colbert’s production as a rook decreased, and a knee injury essentially kept him from returning to that level of play. He played for Denver, Seattle, and Detroit during the 2008 season as he was traded across the league. After that, he spent a few seasons in the UFL until joining the Chiefs in 2011 and rejoining the league. He is currently the Broncos’ wide receivers coach.
Dwayne Jarrett’s advertisement from 2007
Being a two-time All-American at USC, Jarrett had rather high expectations. During his three years
s a Trojan, he logged 216 catches for 3,138 yards and 41 touchdowns. That success never translated to the NFL. He appeared in 32 total games for Carolina, making 35 catches for 428 yards and one touchdown.
Curtis Samuel (2017)
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Samuel had some issues with drops early in his career and it looked like he would never be anything more than a depth piece. In 2020, he had his breakout season with Teddy Bridgewater throwing him the ball, pulling in 77 receptions for 851 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 200 yards and two touchdowns in the run game. His catch percentage jumped up just 79.4% which is still the highest mark he’s had in his seven-year career. Following the 2020 season, he signed with Washington, reuniting with Ron Rivera. He had to overcome some injuries early on, but put up solid production in his final two years with the club going over 600 yards and four touchdowns each year. He’s now with the Buffalo Bills.
Terrace Marshall Jr. (2021)
One of the greatest offenses in college football history featured Terrace Marshall Jr. Now, he was teammates with Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, so he certainly benefitted from their presence. Since landing in Carolina, he’s battled injuries, coaching changes, and poor quarterback play. The 2024 season feels like a make-or-break year for him in Charlotte.
He had 216 catches for 3,138 yards and 41 touchdowns in his Trojan career. The NFL never saw that kind of success. He made 32 appearances for Carolina in all, hauling in 35 passes for 428 yards and one touchdown.
Samuel Curtis (2017)
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Early in his career, Samuel struggled with drops, and it seemed like he would never amount to much more than a depth piece. With Teddy Bridgewater handing him the ball, he had his breakthrough campaign in 2020, catching 77 passes for 851 yards and three touchdowns in addition to running for 200 yards and two more in the run game. In just seven years, his catch percentage has increased to 79.4%, still the highest level he has ever had. After the 2020 campaign,signed with Washington, reuniting with Ron Rivera. He had to overcome some injuries early on, but put up solid production in his final two years with the club going over 600 yards and four touchdowns each year. He’s now with the Buffalo Bills.
Terrace Marshall Jr. (2021)
One of the greatest offenses in college football history featured Terrace Marshall Jr. Now, he was teammates with Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, so he certainly benefitted from their presence. Since landing in Carolina, he’s battled injuries, coaching changes, and poor quarterback play. The 2024 season feels like a make-or-break year for him in Charlotte.