Terrace Marshall Jr. News

Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said that the team is "excited" about third-year receiver Terrace Marshall, who is "about ready to takeoff." Fitterer's comments came during the NFL combine, roughly a week prior to the team's blockbuster trade that sent multiple first-round picks and D.J. Moore to the Bears in return for the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Moore had been the Panthers' leading receiver in each season since he entered the league as a first-round pick in 2018, meaning there should be plenty of opportunities for Marshall, a second-round pick in 2020, to establish himself as the team's new go-to option in the receiving game. Marshall struggled to find the field in his debut campaign and started his sophomore season off slowly, but he did manage to finish the 2022 season with 28 catches for 490 yards (which ranked second on the team behind Moore) and his first career touchdown. He improved his yards per target from a concerning 4.6 rate as a rookie, all the way up to a strong 10.4 mark in his second year. The Panthers will still be in the market for additional help at the receiver position in free agency and in the NFL Draft, but Marshall's fantasy outlook has improved with the departure of Moore.

Marshall actually led the Panthers in all major receiving categories, evidencing their struggles in the passing game. After being frozen out to begin his second campaign, the former second-round pick finished with 28 catches on 47 targets for 490 yards and one touchdown in 14 appearances. That production marked improvement from his rookie year, all the while dealing with a rotating cast of quarterbacks. Marshall will hope to retain his starting role behind DJ Moore in 2023, but as Carolina likely strives to increase its offensive upside, it wouldn't be surprising if Marshall's spot comes under competition prior to next season.

Marshall also coughed the ball up twice but didn't lose either fumble. The wideout had topped 50 yards in consecutive contests entering Sunday, so he'll strive to bounce back and finish the season strong in Week 18 versus his home-state Saints.

Marshall again finished second on the Panthers in receiving, going for gains of 36 and 19 yards. Although he lacks volume in the passing game, Marshall's average of 18.8 yards per catch offers value through big plays.

Marshall's total included a 40-yard gain during the first quarter. In the end, only top wideout DJ Moore had more receptions and targets than Marshall. After hardly being used during the start of the season, last year's second-rounder has now topped 50 yards four times in his last seven outings.

Marshall has now made just one reception in back-to-back games. Although fellow starting wideout DJ Moore posted a goose egg Sunday, Marshall's lack of production with quarterback Sam Darnold should temper his already lukewarm stock in Week 15 versus the Steelers.