Young Carolina Panthers receivers push veteran elders 

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Jimmy Horn Jr., the Carolina Panthers' sixth round pick in April's draft, is among a group of young receivers pushing veterans for roster spots during training camp.

Sprinting down the sideline during a training camp practice, Panthers rookie receiver Jacolby George raced past cornerback Tre Swilling.

After gaining separation of about 5 yards, quarterback Andy Dalton delivered something rarely seen in the past few seasons – a completed downfield pass. 

Swilling tackled George at the 3, but the undrafted free agent’s speed off the line likely caught the eye of coach Dave Canales. 

The Panthers ranked No. 30 in average passing yards per game (187.5) last season. Part of the paltry total can be traced to quarterback Bryce Young’s early struggles. He rebounded in the second half, igniting offseason optimism over a retooled offense. 

Wide receiver depth is becoming a major training camp talking point. 

Bolstered by April’s first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan, speedy sixth-rounder Jimmy Horn Jr., and undrafted free agents Kobe Hudson and George, the Panthers are beginning to build quality depth.

The Panthers already possess one of the NFL’s top starting trios in Adam Thielen, Legette and McMillan, according to Chad Ochocinco. The former wide receiver posted on X (Twitter): "Can we talk about the possibility of the Panthers trio of receivers being the best in the league w/ consistency week to week for Bryce Young?"

“He’s my guy,” Thielen said during a video conference call. “We’ve got to prove it. We all have a lot of things to work on.

“It’s good to see we’re not a laughing stock.”

Veterans such as Hunter Renfrow and David Moore should be concerned with earning a spot on the 53-man roster, general manager Dan Morgan said at the start of training camp July 22.  

“(George and Hudson) are young, talented guys,” Morgan said. “We signed them as UDFAs and they’re guys we’re really excited about. They are going to create competition on the back end. They are going to be in the competitive mix.” 

The Panthers have 11 receivers in camp. Thielen predicted “five or six” will make the 53-man roster. Practice squad decisions will be determined after cut-down day Aug. 26. Morgan anticipates being forced into a few tough cuts.  

“We’re all at war right now, trying to get better,” George said after Saturday’s practice in near-100-degree weather.  

Entering the final season of his three-year contract, Thielen is a 35-year-old veteran who paced the Panthers with 615 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. He is a virtual lock to make the cut, but the former undrafted free agent admitted to looking over his shoulder at the youngsters.    

“Yeah, you’re always feeling pressure, right?” Thielen said. "Five, six guys ... maybe stick. You can’t relax right now.” 

George certainly can’t relax.  

After struggling at the NFL combine, the former Miami (Fla.) standout went undrafted but signed a contract that included a $215,000 signing bonus. George caught the attention of NFL scouts by working with quarterback Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans’ No. 1 overall draft pick. Over his past two seasons, George collected 110 catches for 1,616 yards and 16 TDs.

Hudson, who started at Auburn before transferring to Central Florida, compiled 91 receptions for 1,670 yards and 12 TDs over two All-Big 12 honorable mention seasons with the Knights. In 2023, Hudson ranked No. 7 nationally with a 20.45 yards per reception average. 

“We have a deep group,” Thielen said. “With more depth, we have more competition. They’re rookies and they’re going to make mistakes, but both (George and Hudson) made plays.”
To continue creating roster pressure, George said the newcomers need to continue “stacking days.”

“It’s up to them to go out on a daily basis and earn their stripes and gain the respect of our veterans out there,” Morgan said. “They’re already doing that.” 

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