NFL commissioner Roger Goodell with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Panthers wide receivers could help Bryce Young in major way

Originally posted on Carolina Panthers on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 7:00 AM ET

The Carolina Panthers have their franchise quarterback in Bryce Young, who began to find a rhythm towards the end of his second season with the team.

Now entering Year 3, Young is more confident than ever before, and he's playing with the best wide receiver corps he has had since college.

However, the Panthers don't stack up when compared to the rest of the league's wideouts. Pro Football Focus writer Trevor Sikkema ranked the Panthers at No. 26 in his team wide receiver rankings.

"The Panthers ranked last in team PFF receiving grade in 2024 but now get a major boost with first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan joining the group. He was one of just 15 FBS wide receivers to boast a 90.0-plus PFF receiving grade over the past two seasons," Sikkema wrote.

"Carolina will still need valuable snaps from 34-year-old Adam Thielen, who led the team with a 76.5 PFF receiving grade last season, and they will need much more from 2023 first-rounder Xavier Legette, who earned just a 59.1 PFF receiving grade in 2024. The team did get bonus production from undrafted free agent Jalen Coker, whose 1.72 yards-per-route-run average ranked fourth among rookie wideouts."

The only teams ranking below the Panthers were the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns.

The Panthers should also have a resurgence from Hunter Renfrow, who missed last season due to an illness.

There's a lot of unproven commodities in the Panthers wide receiver room, but if Young can set them up for success, they could be among the league's most underrated position groups.

This article first appeared on Carolina Panthers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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