Panthers rookies most likely to contend for starting roles

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Receiver Xavier Legette, the Carolina Panthers’ top draft pick, is poised to challenge Adam Thielen for a starting job.

As the Carolina Panthers prepare for training camp, three returning, proven veterans should be concerned about their starting jobs.

That happens after finishing an NFL-worst 2-15.

While the defense struggled to convert turnovers, at least they kept Carolina in most games. The offense failed to take advantage of the opportunities. With rookie quarterback Bryce Young under constant pressure from a sieve-like offensive line, the Panthers averaged a league-low 265.3 yards per game.

To surround Young with playmakers, new general manager Dan Morgan hired Dave Canales, a quarterback guru, as coach and drafted receiver Xavier Legette and running back Jonathon Brooks in April.

Guess who’s looking over their shoulders? Adam Thielen and Chuba Hubbard.

Legette vs. Thielen

With Legette still on the draft board late in the first round, Morgan reacted swiftly, trading up to snare the 6-foot-1, 221-pounder from South Carolina.

Legette, who combines athleticism and bulk, averaged 17.7 yards per catch last season. Although he missed parts of offseason workouts because of a nagging injury, Legette flashed his “dawg” mentality when healthy.

“He definitely has that about him,” Morgan said. “You’ll get around him, he’s a great young man but you can tell he’s got that dawg in him. That look in his eye.
“He’s not only a special player but a special person, too.”

Thielen led the Panthers with 1,014 receiving yards and four touchdowns last season. The 11-year professional was a dependable target for Young, hauling in 103 of 137 targets.
Dependable, yes, but rarely explosive. Thielen averaged fewer than 9.7 yards per catch.

With trade acquisition Diontae Johnson locked into the WR1 role, Thielen, who turns 34 in August, likely will start training camp as WR2. How long will Legette remain as a third wheel?

Hubbard vs. Brooks

Brooks did not participate in on-field offseason practices to recover from a knee injury suffered in his final season at Texas. Instead, the second-round draft pick learned what he could from the sidelines and the classroom.

Brooks is expected to fully recover from a torn ACL and take his first professional practice reps at training camp.

“We value the run game,” Morgan said. “I think, again, to have a guy like Jonathan Brooks there, he was a guy that we loved.”   

Morgan foreshadowed the Panthers’ preference to establish the running game in 2024, utilizing a new-look (and expensive) offensive line and building off Hubbard’s breakout effort last season. Taking over for an injured and ineffective Miles Sanders in Week 6, Hubbard amassed a career-high 902 yards and five touchdowns. He appeared comfortable taking a leadership role during the offseason practices.

Entering his fourth season, Hubbard isn’t as established as Thielen, but will be driven to retain his top back status. But for how long?

Brooks was the first running back drafted and his receiving ability makes him more of a two-dimensional threat. Before his injury, Brooks ranked sixth in FBS with 1,139 rushing yards and added 286 receiving yards.

A potential three-down back, Brooks likely will be eased into the lineup, but could steadily earn additional snaps.

Comments