The WR Competition

[davos]

DJ Moore & Robbie Anderson are set in their roles, WR1, WR2

For slot and down the chart, we've got a battle...the rest:

 

Rashard Higgins

Terrace Marshall Jr.

CJ Saunders

Shi Smith

Brandon Zylstra

Andre Roberts

Keith Kirkwood

Charleston Rambo (r)

 

A few thoughts:

• If no one outperforms Roberts for return duties and he fills a spot, that could take someone off the active we expect to make it
• Is Shi able to take on PR/KR duties and serve as a depth piece?? 
• CJ Saunders definitely makes it on his current trajectory.  He seems like a kid on the rise here, been ahead of Higgins & Terrace running w/the 1s as our slot so far
• Do we carry 6 or 7?
• Overall, Terrace has the most to prove and the biggest opportunity to make some noise.  I would however not discount the playmaking ability of Higgins and his upside that he's always had.  Just not the best blocker.
• My best guess is we carry one more than usual come cut time: (1) DJ Moore (2) Robbie (3) Higgins (4) Terrace (5) CJ Saunders (6) Shi (7) Roberts

 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I hope Terrace makes a jump just given his draft position and upside. Hard to argue the  7 mentioned by OP.  If we carry six Shi may be the odd man out but it’s early yet and I am far from a professional evaluator.  Just my .02

[musicman]

Let's hope no injuries and maybe we trade someone to a WR needy team than just cutting them. I wonder if they would let someone beat out Robby or just automatically give Robby the job? It's a good problem to have. Having 4 WRs and CMC out in routes with a good O-line can be killer. With any QB, just saying.

[Soul Rebel]

I hope Rambo can make it to the PS.....would like to let him marinate there for a year or two. 

Agree with OP on the seven mentioned. Zylstra is 29 already and is a good WR4, but I'd prefer the loser of the WR3 battle of TMJ/Higgins there, then Saunders....even Shi above Zylstra for long-term needs. 

Roberts should be strictly a KR/PR and maybe a bench guy if needed in a game.

The Higgins-TMJ competition is going to be fun to watch. Higgins and Baker have chemistry, so I think Higgins wins it out initially. I do believe TMJ will find ways to get involved and four-wide sets won't be an uncommon thing with the talent we have. TMJ is the future and Higgins is only on a 1-yr deal.

[The Huddler]

give TMJ as many reps as possible

 

wish Robbie was off the team already

[MillionDollarCam]

I don’t think Roberts is making the team, he’s 34 years old and there’s just too much depth in front of him that can do more.

If one of Smith or Saunders can show that they can be an average KR/PR then Roberts is gone.

The locks are Moore, Anderson, and Marshall. The guys that have a leg up are Higgins, due to his rapport with Baker, and Zylstra, due to his ability to do everything (WR/ST/KR). Another thing to note about Zylstra is that he was the first WR in camp to develop chemistry with Baker. I also wouldn’t read to much into Saunders running with the one’s as Smith has also had a chance to do the same. It’s more likely than not that Smith and Saunders are battling for the final WR roster spot. As for Roberts, in my personal opinion, he’ll need to average 30 yards per KR and 10 yards per PR to justify a roster spot, he doesn’t do enough of anything else to provide true value. Not to mention, both Smith and Saunders are getting a look at KR and PR… it’s in the best interest of the ball club for one of those guys to push Roberts out.

In my opinion…

1. Moore

2. Anderson

3. Marshall

4. Higgins

5. Zylstra

6. Smith/Saunders

The Panthers could conceivably keep seven wide outs if they feel comfortable with how Tremble’s blocking has progressed and instead of keeping three tight ends (Thomas, Tremble, and Thompson), they only keep two (Thomas and Tremble).

Edited July 31, 2022 by MillionDollarCam

[TheCasillas]

If we don’t carry a fullback, we will carry a 7 receiver. In this league, the return man position is taking that spot on the 53. 

[MillionDollarCam]

4 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

If we don’t carry a fullback, we will carry a 7 receiver. In this league, the return man position is taking that spot on the 53. 

Ricci potentially has nudes of Rhule and he plays ST’s… not saying he’s a lock but it’s obvious the staff likes him.

[TheCasillas]

9 minutes ago, MillionDollarCam said:

Ricci potentially has nudes of Rhule and he plays ST’s… not saying he’s a lock but it’s obvious the staff likes him.

Yeah, it will be interesting to see what decision is made. 

[kungfoodude]

27 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

Yeah, it will be interesting to see what decision is made. 

It's sort of hard to predict a lot of what this staff does. 

Pecking order seems to be a lot harder to discern that any previous coaching staff we have had.

[DeeJay]

WE HAVE RAMBO

[TheSpecialJuan]

[BPF]

It is wild how in just a short amount of time we've went from a horrendous WR corps to an actual NFL caliber, to the point of whoever gets cut will probably be on someone else's roster. Wish we were this serious about the OL and then we could be an annual playoff team rather than a flash in the pan type.

[WOW!!]

This is a interesting battle nobody is talking about..

They are probably keeping 6 but I only see 4 as locks..  With Roberts being the Return specialist.. Only 2 spots remain. 

Robbie, DJ And Terrence seem to be locked in ..

Looking like CJ, Shi, Higgins and BZ are battling it out..

Who can make it on PS will be a big determining factor..