The Carolina Panthers have been bold this offseason after a chaotic and dismal 2022 campaign, and they could have a real shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
They traded significant capital, including stud wide receiver D.J. Moore, to get the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft from the Chicago Bears, which they used on University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
But Carolina also has high hopes for wideout Laviska Shenault Jr.
In fact, new head coach Frank Reich says he intends to line him up in the backfield as a running back at times, similar to how the San Francisco 49ers love to use Deebo Samuel, per Ari Meirov.
#Panthers HC Frank Reich told reporters they'll experiment using WR Laviska Shenault in a Deebo Samuel type role.
"You look at guys like Deebo Samuel and stuff like that and you say, ‘Well, can Laviska do some of that stuff?’ Of course he can." pic.twitter.com/OHUzxwRPRR
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 1, 2023
At first glance, one may wonder why Reich wants Shenault to play such a role.
In three pro seasons, he has never run for as many as 100 yards nor reached 20 carries in a single year.
However, at 6-foot-1 and nearly 230 pounds, Shenault almost has a physique that resembles a running back more than a wideout.
Carolina should already have a solid running game with the arrival of tailback Miles Sanders, who tallied 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2022.
With DJ Chark and Adam Thielen also incoming to beef up the wide receiver position, the Panthers could very well make the playoffs if Young is a strong producer from day one.
One thing is for sure: Most quarterbacks taken so high in the draft don’t have the luxury of playing with the type of skill players Young will line up alongside this fall.
NEXT: Matt Corral Clears The Air About His Feelings Toward Panthers Organization
