Shi Smith

Smith is a smaller slot receiver in the NFL that has the potential to be an impact depth piece on a depth chart. He's not a refined route runner and really didn't do much to create separation from nickel corners. He tore up Tennessee on Slants, but that was pretty much it. Otherwise, he's going to need to be schemed open to be effective. Solid hands when he's in uncontested situations. Able to reel in the ball naturally, but struggles immensely in contested situations to reel in the pass. Is able to take shots over the middle of the field and get right back up, but has plenty of drops on tape in situations where a NFL slot receiver needs to bring in that reception. Has good speed to be able to be a factor after the catch if he's schemed open and already has momentum, but won't be able to make much happen on his own. Has good acceleration off the line of scrimmage, but was consistently in the slot or facing off-man coverage. Able to track the ball in the situations he was targeted more than 15 yards downfield, but then failed to be able to bring in those catches. Some were back shoulder, others right in his chest, but failed to bring in the catch. Good speed and should be able to be a threat for a team that doesn't need to ask its slot WR to create much on their own, but that can create separation on drags, outs, deep overs, etc. Overall, most likely a depth piece for a NFL roster and a Day 3 player.

Shi Smith selected No. 204 by the Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have selected wide receiver Shi Smith with the No. 204 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Fantasy Impact

Smith is a 5-foot-9, 186-pound wide receiver out of South Carolina. His target share didn't eclipse 18% in any of his first three seasons, but he had a whopping 28.8% share last season. With a 28.8% target share, Smith totaled 57 receptions on 85 targets for 633 yards and four touchdowns. The receiver boasts a 92nd percentile (46.6%) college dominator rating, but his workout metrics do not stand out - except a 75th percentile (11.01) agility score.