One of the more exciting Panthers positional battles this offseason will be at wide receiver.
This position group has struggled for many years, especially since the 2023 trade of D.J. Moore to Chicago.
That left rookie quarterback Bryce Young with no reliable weapons.
How the group fared last season
Heading into the 2024 season, I was excited about our receiver group.
Diontae Johnson became the number one target but personality issues led to him being traded after Week 8.
Jonathan Mingo failed to live up to his second-round draft hype after his rookie campaign. After another unproductive year, he was traded after Week 9.
Terrace Marshall Jr. was waived on the final day of roster cuts and Ihmir Smith-Marsette made room for new waiver claims after initially making the roster.
Old faithful Adam Thielen and first-round rookie Xavier Legette led the charge. David Moore came in with experience and familiarity with Dave Canales after working together previously.
Undrafted rookie Jalen Coker made a name for himself from Week 4. Making the final roster, the Panthers waived Coker, then re-signed him to the practice squad. Then they added him to the active roster after Week 3 due to Thielen’s hamstring injury.
Thielen missed seven games through injury and Legette felt the pressure of being a first-round pick. The offseason excitement failed to live up to expectations. This is why I am cautiously excited for 2025. However, we appear in great shape with lots of competition.
The main contenders
As of today – 1 July – there are 12 receivers on the roster. I expect a maximum of seven will be kept, and only if one has a key role on special teams. Only five or six will realistically make it. It is time to dissect the battle.
Tetairoa McMillan – As the eighth overall draft pick, the 6’4″ rookie is coming in to be the long-awaited number one target. McMillan had 2,721 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in his final two years in college. The Cali-to-Cali connection with Bryce Young could be something special.
Xavier Legette – The Panthers 2024 first round pick, taken 32nd overall, had a mixed rookie year with 497 receiving yards, four touchdowns and some noticeable drops. At 6’3″ with incredible traits, the potential is still there as he continues to develop. After all, the Panthers did trade up into the first round to select the South Carolina Gamecock. The belief that their investment will pay dividends is still there.
Adam Thielen – Thielen is coming into his third and potentially final season in Carolina, and maybe in the league. Soon to be 35, Thielen has been Bryce Young’s most reliable target. Before Legette and McMillan arrived, Thielen had to pick up the slack in 2023, finishing with 1,014 yards. Not bad for an old slot receiver.
Jalen Coker – The 6’3″ baby-faced undrafted rookie had zero drops on 32 catches last season. He is another young, tall, pivotal piece for the future of this offence. A name being overlooked by many, he was highly scouted and expected to be a Day 3 pick in the 2024 draft due to his size and expert route running. Potentially due to playing for a smaller school in Holy Cross, Coker went undrafted… to Carolina’s gain.
Jimmy Horn Jr. – The sixth-round rookie has been turning heads in camp so far. He is fast. Really fast! Only 5’8″, he can make a huge impact in the slot and as a returner. This kind of speed is something Carolina has been craving.
David Moore – Moore has familiarity with Dave Canales, having worked with him in Seattle and Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old brings experience and knowledge to this system and proved reliable for Young towards the end of last season, finishing with three touchdowns.
Hunter Renfrow – Entered the league in 2019 from Clemson, excelling in the slot. In 2021, he had 1,038 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in a Pro Bowl year. A serious illness forced him out of football in 2024. Born in South Carolina, Renfrow handpicked his childhood team to attempt his return. Still only 29, he has been turning heads in camp and will be a serious contender to make the roster.
The outside bets
The following have an uphill battle:
- Dan Chisena – 28-year-old special teams ace.
- Kobe Hudson – undrafted rookie, good size and speed.
- Jacolby George – undrafted rookie, shorter receiver with good speed and a fiery temperament.
- Brycen Tremayne – 6’4″, entering Year 3 with one catch for -2 yards.
- J. Luther – undrafted in 2023, yet to play an NFL game.
The Panthers will hope Hudson and George have the same impact during the offseason as Jalen Coker did last year. Hopefully, one of them proves to be another undrafted diamond in the rough.
Chisena has proven his worth on special teams. Tremayne and Luther have either height, speed or both to impress Dave Canales. They face the biggest tests and will need to prove worth on special teams to be in with a chance.
With so many variables in play, only time will reveal the true potential of the 2025 Panthers receivers group.
