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Cat Scratch Reader fantasy football takes on Steve Smith
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Cat Scratch Reader about Steve Smith.
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All Cat Scratch Reader insights about Steve Smith
NegativeRoleSep 8, 2026
With the arrival of Cam Newton as the new Face of the Franchise, Smith struggled to take on a secondary role; while his production remained bordering on elite through 2013, an undercurrent of locker room strife between Smith and Newton combined with the Panthers' desire to get younger and cheaper at the position led to the team releasing Smith in March 2014.PositiveProjectionSep 8, 2026
Smith's rookie year (2001) featured three return touchdowns (two kickoff, one punt) and earned him Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro honors as a returner despite major pundits declaring the third-round pick would be wasted on a punt returner; he finished his Panthers career as the all-time franchise leader in targets (1,438), catches (836), receiving yards (12,197), receiving touchdowns (67), yards per game (67), punt returns (178), punt return yards (1,652), and punt return touchdowns (4), while finishing second only to Michael Bates in kickoff returns (98), kickoff return yards (2,371), and kickoff return touchdowns (2).PositiveRoleSep 8, 2026
In 2003, Smith exploded with 88 catches for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns while becoming new quarterback Jake Delhomme's favorite target; his impact extended beyond receiving, as he provided crucial offensive fireworks during the Panthers' Super Bowl run, including a 32-yard touchdown catch in the Wild Card win over Dallas, a 69-yard 'X-Clown' touchdown reception in double overtime against the Rams, and a game-tying 39-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl.PositiveProjectionSep 8, 2026
Smith's 2005 season produced 103 catches for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns—video game numbers that set Panthers single-season records for receptions and remain the franchise record for receiving yards; he won the receiving triple crown (tied for first in touchdowns), earned Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro honors, and took home Comeback Player of the Year after returning from a broken leg suffered in the 2004 season opener.