Panthers coach Frank Reich says they'll try using WR Laviska Shenault in a Deebo Samuel-type role

Frank Reich has been tasked with leading the Carolina Panthers back to winning football after five straight losing campaigns. A lot of that job starts on the offensive end as he seems to have big plans for fourth-year wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr..

Reich recently commented on Shenault’s role heading into his second season with the Panthers. Considering his skill set, he says there’s no reason that Carolina couldn’t utilize him in a role similar to what the San Francisco 49ers do and have done with All-Pro WR Deebo Samuel.

“You look at guys like Deebo Samuel and stuff like that. And you (ask), ‘Well, can Laviska do some of that stuff?'” said Reich. “Of course he can.”

That’s high praise for Shenault from his new head coach. Still, with what he showed last season, there’s something to what Reich is saying.

Shenault caught 27 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown last season. All three statistics were good for top-five on Carolina’s roster in 2022 when it came to receiving. He also rushed the ball nine times for 65 yards and a touchdown. 41 of those yards came in one touch on the ground but, still, he showed that he can produce a little in that spot for the Panthers.

Does any of this mean that he can become Samuel? Not necessarily. The 49ers wide receiver has been one of the NFL’s best over his four seasons in San Francisco. In his 51 career games, Samuel has totaled 223 catches on 340 targets while also rushing 123 times. Those 346 touches have amounted to just over 4,000 total yards and 26 touchdowns overall.

Bryce Young is going to need some weapons to make something happen offensively in Carolina next season. If Reich can unlock Shenault in that way, though, it would go a long way in making the most out of what is currently a limited number of weapons for the Panthers.

Reich gives rave reviews of Bryce Young after first day of OTAs

The Carolina Panthers kicked off the first of 10 OTA practices on Monday with new quarterback Bryce Young receiving rave reviews from his head coach. Frank Reich said Young’s command was “10 out of 10,” which is exactly what you want to see in a no-contact practice.

“Just complete command, control, poise,” Reich said after Day 1. “You could tell the way he was seeing it, the way he was working through progressions, accuracy in the throw, ball placement of the throw. It was all very good.”

Having veteran Andy Dalton on the roster does give Carolina an option if Young isn’t ready and provides the younger quarterback a mentor in the meantime. Reich is on board with the idea of the former Alabama star watching and waiting, for now. The two quarterbacks split reps with the first-team offense on Monday.

“It’s really good for Bryce to kind of see Andy handle things the way he’s handled things,” Reich said. “And, obviously, Bryce has picked it up extremely fast. But it feels like we’ve got a good plan and we’re doing the right thing.”