Panthers Predicted To Improve Bryce Younger’s Weapons by Including 26-TD WR1 in 1st Spherical of NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers had been removed from good in 2024, posting a 5-12 document and ending tied for final within the NFC South.
Nevertheless, that was a marked enchancment over 2023, when the staff went 2-15 and “earned” the primary general choose within the draft, solely to give up it to the Chicago Bears because of the Bryce Younger commerce from a yr prior.
Within the first yr of the Younger-Dave Canales pairing, Carolina ranked twenty third in factors per recreation (20.1) and twenty ninth in yards per recreation (298.0) on offense. Dangerous? Sure. A notable enchancment over 2023 once they completed useless final in each classes? Additionally sure.
With Younger established because the quarterback of the long run after returning with a vengeance following his mid-season benching, the staff now wants to offer him with the weapons to assist him flourish.
Although they’ve failed to try this thus far this offseason — working again Rico Dowdle is the one notable skill-position participant they signed in free company — the Panthers may pair Younger with the very best receiver he’s labored with since his Alabama days within the upcoming NFL Draft.
Carolina Panthers Projected To Choose Tetairoa McMillan in 2025 NFL Draft
Within the newest Professional Soccer & Sports activities Community mock draft, the Panthers are anticipated to take the very best receiver within the class with the No. 8 general choose.
“The Carolina Panthers have to encompass Bryce Younger with extra weapons, and Tetairoa McMillan could possibly be the lacking perimeter presence required to take the offense to the following stage,” writer Owain Jones writes.
“The Arizona Wildcats huge receiver affords above-average athleticism, and McMillan’s massive catch radius permits him to win possession and to right and haul in much less correct balls.”
The Panthers have one of many shallowest huge receiver rooms within the NFL. Final yr’s first-round choose, Xavier Legette, confirmed flashes in his rookie season, however he finally recorded simply 49 receptions for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’s removed from a confirmed WR1.
The present depth chart has him flanked by 34-year-old veteran Adam Thielen (62/615/5 receiving line in 2024) and undrafted teenager Jalen Coker (32/478/2). Longtime Canales disciple David Moore was re-signed by the staff as depth this offseason.
It is a comparatively weak huge receiver class, a minimum of in comparison with the previous few years, as McMillan and Texas wideout Matthew Golden are the one receivers projected to go within the first spherical (not together with cornerback/receiver hybrid Travis Hunter). Juxtapose that with the record-tying seven that had been chosen on opening evening of the 2024 draft, and it’s clear to see why the Panthers (or anybody) would use their high choose on the Arizona product.
Earlier than getting benched after Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season, Younger had began 18 video games and had thrown for 3,122 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, finishing 59.3% of his passes with a passer score of 70.9.
In 10 video games after regaining the beginning job, Younger threw for two,104 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, finishing 61.8% of his makes an attempt with a passer score of 88.9. Younger additionally completed with a No. 28 rating and D+ grade (67.8) in PFSN’s QB+ metric; although not a powerful end, it was forward of the likes of Jameis Winston, Trevor Lawrence, and rookie first general choose Caleb Williams.
If McMillan helps unlock that latter model of Younger, he’ll be value each little bit of draft funding the Panthers may sink into him.
