The Carolina Panthers have a talented group of wide receivers heading into this season. From veterans to rookies, every player must step up to ensure the team has a better season than their 2023 season. Which receivers will make their marks in the league this season?
Ranking the Carolina Panthers Wide Receivers
5. Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Smith-Marsette has played for three seasons in the NFL with three different teams. He was drafted in 2021 by the Minnesota Vikings and only spent one with the team. While at the Vikings, he scored two touchdowns on only five receptions. Smith-Marsette moved to the Chicago Bears, where he only had one reception, before going to the Kansas City Chiefs for the rest of the season.
The Panthers added the receiver in 2023, looking to add more targets for rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Smith-Marsette caught eight passes for 51 yards in his first season with the Panthers. He also rushed for eight attempts and gained 74 yards and a touchdown.
In the upcoming season, Smith-Marsette will look to build on these statistics. Although he has not had the best numbers, he will have lots to prove in his second season with the Panthers. Smith-Marsette can use his height and size to his advantage in both the receiving and rushing games.
4. Adam Thielen
With 11 years of experience in the league, Thielen is the veteran of this wide receiver group. He spent 10 seasons with the Vikings before coming to the Panthers in 2023. While at the Vikings, Thielen found himself topping the statistics chart. Thielen recorded over 1,000 yards in two seasons for the Vikings.
After his move to the Panthers, Thielen looked just as comfortable in Charlotte as he had in Minneapolis. He caught 103 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. Even with a rookie quarterback who didn’t have the best season Thielen still made a big impact.
For his second season with the Panthers, the veteran receiver will look to add his fourth 1,000+ yard season. He’ll also look to find the endzone more regularly. Panthers fans will be hopeful that his experience will be an additional calming presence for second-year quarterback Young.
3. Jonathan Mingo
Mingo is a second-year wide receiver from Ole Miss. In four seasons for Ole Miss, Mingo posted 861 yards on 51 receptions, in addition to five touchdowns. Despite an injury in 2021 that limited him to only six games, Mingo still managed 346 yards and three touchdowns.
The Panthers’ draft pick didn’t find the endzone in the 2023 season but had a relatively average rookie season with 418 yards on 43 receptions. His longest reception of the season was for 40 yards. One downside was the loss of a fumble, which Mingo will hope won’t happen again this coming season.
Reports from training camp have been positive for Mingo. He seems to have found his footing and has been running routes with ease. Offseason work for Mingo included getting advice from former Panthers’ standout, Steve Smith. With Smith’s help, Mingo will look to create more chances for his team and find the endzone this season.
2. Xavier Legette
Legette was the Panthers’ first-round draft pick, which came in at pick number 32. The Gamecock impressed the Panthers coaching staff after achieving career highs in multiple categories during the 2023 NCAA season.
He had 71 receptions in the 2023 season, which paired well with 1,255 yards. The Super Senior became South Carolina’s leading receiver throughout the season. His numbers show the volume of production that he’s able to fulfill when healthy.
Legette received many accolades while with South Carolina. In 2023, he was voted the South Carolina Male Athlete of the Year. He also made the 2023 Senior Bowl All-American Team. All of these achievements made the Panthers want Legette, on top of his outstanding statistics.
1. Diontae Johnson
Johnson was traded to the Panthers in the offseason by the Pittsburgh Steelers. After spending five seasons with the Steelers, Charlotte will be a different feel for Johnson.
Johnson became one of the Steelers’ top receivers during his time in Pittsburgh. In his rookie season, Johnson caught 59 targets for 680 yards and five touchdowns. His best season came in 2023 with 107 receptions and 1,161 yards, along with a career-high eight touchdowns.
His experience and statistics show the kind of gritty player that Johnson is, making it no wonder why the Panthers wanted to add him to their squad. Johnson has shown that he is a proven talent and he continues to perform at a high level. The Panthers will want to get the most out of him, making him one of Young’s biggest targets.
Main Image: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
