Panthers trade with Jaguars adds Laviska Shenault to talented receiver room
As the Jacksonville Jaguars new head coach Doug Pederson makes moves to realign the team’s offense, a piece that the organization once felt valuable enough to use a second round pick for is now on his way to the Carolinas.
On Monday the Carolina Panthers made the decision to add wide receiver Laviska Shenault to their already talent-filled receiver room. That list now includes Shenault along with DJ Moore, Robbie Anderson, Shi Smith, Terrace Marshall, Brandon Zylstra, Rashard Higgins, Keith Kirkwood, and C.J. Saunders.
Shenault was drafted with the 42nd overall pick out of Colorado two years ago by the Jaguars. He is a text book receiver known for being a great route runner but has not been able to continue that type of performance into the regular season. His 10 dropped passes were part of the 39 drops the Jaguars had in 2021. But despite his lapse in ball security, Shenault still garnered more than 600 receiving yards last season courtesy of, then, rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The former Colorado star, who decided to forego his final college season for the NFL, has the ability to be explosive once the ball is in his hands. The Carolina coaching staff should be encouraged by his size and blocking ability which will bolster the physical prowess of the offenses. Shenault can also be utilized as a medium range threat due to his deceptive speed or out of the backfield but also give the offense a boost with his after the catch ability – a perfect match with Ben McAdoo’s system that is built on getting the ball out quickly in the hands of play-makers.
There is also history between Panthers’ new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo and Shenault. McAdoo was the quarterbacks coach in Jacksonville during Shenault’s rookie season so there should be a comfort level among the coaching staff that he will create new options in the offense.
The De Soto, Texas native wore the No.10 for the Jaguars. Currently Carolina Panthers punter Johnny Hekker wears No.10.
