Panthers' Beat Writer: Rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan to 'Get Majority of Work at X' in 2025

Joe Person continued dropping nuggets on how the Panthers' WR room could shake out come Week 1, suggesting that former 1st-round pick Xavier Legette would play the role of flanker opposite McMillan and that Thielen would occupy the slot. A few noteworthy takeaways: Legette seems to be getting the benefit of the doubt as Dave Canales’ first-ever draft pick despite a disappointing rookie year riddled with drops in 2024. Despite flashing in limited action down the stretch last year, Jalen Coker still seems to remain behind Legette on the depth chart and is unlikely to intrude on Thielen’s role in the slot or take away significant snaps from McMillan, who joined the team as a first-round pick himself just a month ago. Also worth mentioning: the Panthers ran 11 personnel (3 WR sets) at one of the highest rates in the NFL last year, ranking fourth among all teams. With the big three at each receiver position seemingly established early in OTAs, we could see plenty of McMillan, Legette, and Thielen in the Panthers' offense in 2025. Jalen Coker could reasonably mix in at some point down the stretch due to injury or a coach’s decision, and the most likely crack for Coker to exploit would be at the flanker role he played last year opposite Xavier Legette. Regardless, it sounds like Carolina is planning to continue to run plenty of 11 personnel moving forward, especially having used each of their last two first-round picks on wide receivers for Bryce Young.