Panthers rookie receivers add athletic versatility to OTAs

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Tetairoa McMillan, the Carolina Panthers' first round draft pick, adds range and and a physicality to the receiver corps.

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan closed April's draft class the way he opened it, bookending his picks with playmaking receivers.

In the first round, he selected Tetairoa McMillan, a big-bodied receiver not known for breakaway speed but equipped with an elite catching radius. In the sixth, Morgan picked Jimmy Horn Jr., whose speed and athleticism stood out during rookie minicamp. With experience as a return specialist and the league poised to introduce new kickoff regulations, he could prove to be a draft steal.  

With the Panthers opening their offseason training activities Tuesday at Bank of America Stadium, McMillan and Horn project to join a front-end cast featuring Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette.

How will they fit in?

Can McMillan mature into X receiver?  

As a rookie in 2023, Young was one of 41 quarterbacks to attempt at least 160 passes. He ranked last at 5.5 yards per attempt. Burdened by a franchise-record 62 sacks, Young's downfield throws became virtually non-existent by the end of an NFL-worst 2-16 campaign.  

Young didn't look much better early last season, remaining hesitant and indecisive in the pocket. Outscored 73-13 their first two games, Panthers coach Dave Canales benched Young. After two months on the sidelines, Young re-emerged as the starter and displayed some swagger to carry a sense of offensive optimism into the OTAs.

Young ranked No. 10 last season for on-target throws of 20-plus air yards without pressure, delivering a catchable ball rate of 60%, according to Fantasy Points Data. The opportunities were present, but not the personnel, Morgan calculated. McMillan and Horn were drafted, in part, because last season’s receiving core dropped 11% of Young’s open downfield attempts.  

In the weeks leading to the draft, Young met McMillan at a California youth camp. They talked. They ran routes. Later, Young envisioned McMillan as his future "X" wideout, able to play wide and snare contested catches downfield. Young lobbied Morgan to select the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder at No. 8 overall. The influence worked.  

“I’m just fortunate that he sat on the table for me,” McMillan said. “That connection is going to be something special.”  

In his final season at Arizona, McMillan snared 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. Scouts raved over his pro-ready talent during the pre-draft process, but some questioned his maturity. Morgan reviewed reports of McMillan loafing during games if he wasn't being targeted enough.

Morgan described his due diligence during a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”   

"I think part of that is probably people's way of trying to get him a little lower on the draft board, because I think a lot of people liked him," Morgan said. "For us, we were really thorough in the process. We brought him in here for a 30-minute visit. We met with him at the combine. We loved everything about him. Not only as a player but as a person. He's super competitive, he's super smart, he's tough, and he does all the things you're looking for in a number one wide receiver, so we're extremely excited about him." 

Jimmy Horn Jr. may provide special assets  

NFL officials announced a new rule for 2025 aimed at increasing the number of kickoff returns while focusing on player safety. Touchbacks will now be located at the 35-yard line, up 10 yards from last season.

Clocked at 19.81 mph in the “Gauntlet,” Horn recorded the fastest top speed during the NFL Combine and promised to carry that momentum into summer workouts.

"I'll be flying," he said.

With special teams likely proving the clearest path to getting on the field, Horn said he will rely on his speed to potentially flip field position. In college, Horn returned a kick for a touchdown with South Florida in 2022. Including his time with Colorado, Horn returned 34 kicks and averaged 21.1 yards per attempt.

After spending a summer learning from Thielen, a 12-year veteran, Horn anticipates earning an offensive role as a change-of-pace slot receiver. At rookie minicamp, he routinely raced past overmatched defensive backs. Can he repeat the performances against more seasoned defenders?   Morgan bet part of the Panthers' future on McMillan and Horn to aid Young's development.

Entering OTAs, Canales delivered a message to the bookend draft picks and the new-look wide receiver unit.   

“As we’ve talked, my expectation for [McMillan] is to just get one day better,” Canales said. “Apply himself to the installs, know that he’s coming into a group of guys that have been in this system now, a couple of guys for a few years, you know, and then for him to just be focused on just getting one day better. And then that’s going to elevate the whole group.

“Jimmy Horn Jr., same thing. (Undrafted free agents) Kobe Hudson, Jacolby George, these are all guys who are really good football players, really good wide receivers.”

Offseason schedule

Here are the dates for the Panthers offseason training activities and mandatory minicamp:

OTAs

* May 27-28, May 30 

June 2-3, June 5  

Mandatory minicamp 

June 10-12

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