Bengals should keep an eye on former college teammate of Joe Burrow that was named as a cut candidate during training camp

The Cincinnati Bengals should keep an eye on a former college teammate of quarterback Joe Burrow that was named as a potential cut candidate this week.

Pro Football Network pointed out Carolina Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr as a cut candidate during training camp. Marshall and Burrow played together at LSU in 2018 and 2019 (Marshall finished his career at LSU in 2020, he was then a second round selection by the Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft).

From Pro Football Network : With Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and Diontae Johnson now in Carolina’s receiver room, there might not be a spot for Terrace Marshall Jr. The 2021 second-round pick has struggled since entering the NFL and faces a make-or-break camp.

Marshall hasn't quite lived up to expectations with the Panthers, playing in 36 games over the last three seasons while totaling just 106 receptions for 1,594 yards and one touchdown.

Of course, it's not like playing in Charlotte has been an ideal situation for any wide receiver the last few years. Marshall is on his fifth head coach with the Panthers (Matt Rhule, interim head coach Steve Wilks, Frank Reich, interim head coach Chris Tabor, and now Dave Canales) since getting selected by the Panthers in 2021. That's not exactly a recipe for success for any player.

There's plenty of upside with Marshall, a 6-foot-2 wide receiver who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds . If the Panthers decide to move on from Marshall before the start of the 2024 season, the Bengals should definitely look into taking a flier on him.

Burrow and Marshall showed elite chemistry together at LSU. In 2019, with Burrow at quarterback, Marshall caught 46 passes for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns despite playing behind Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. In 2020, with a revolving door at quarterback at LSU (Myles Brennan, Max Johnson, and TJ Finley all started games), Marshall caught 48 passes for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns in just seven games.

The talent is obviously there. And Marshall would clearly fit into the LSU-inspired offensive system that Cincinnati runs with Burrow under center.

Considering the uncertainty around the futures of Chase and Tee Higgins, it would be worth the Bengals taking a chance on a buy-low wide receiver like Marshall to see if he can recreate the magic he had with Burrow in Baton Rouge.

At best, the Bengals find a hidden gem who can be a productive wide receiver the next few seasons. At worst, Marshall flounders and gets released. It's a low-risk/high-reward option for the Bengals.

Related: Bengals QB Joe Burrow receives perfect motivation from rival AFC coach as NFL training camps get underway