Biggest takeaways from Panthers' 2025 rookie minicamp
Given the lack of length and intensity in practices during NFL rookie minicamps, there's not much to deduce from the on-field work this time of year. But that doesn't mean we haven't learned a thing or two about the Carolina Panthers over the past few days.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the team's 2025 rookie minicamp . . .
TMac comes as advertised
Head coach Dave Canales spoke about watching eighth overall pick Tetairoa McMillan hit the practice field for the first time.
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"He looks smooth, easy to throw to—just like we thought," Canales said of the 6-foot-4 wide receiver on Friday. "I got a chance to kinda bop around between offense and defense. But in the little bit that I saw—I'll go back and watch a little bit more—but the little bit I saw with the individual drills, you can see the route-crafting, the guy just works on his craft. He comes in ready to go, so really excited about it."
McMillan totaled 213 receptions for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns during his three seasons at the University of Arizona.
Even the best need practice
Despite coming in as a high draft pick with high expectations, McMillan isn't shying away from the work.
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He talked about the early stages of his relationship with wide receivers coach Rob Moore.
"It's incredible," McMillan said. "Even though I was fortunate enough to get drafted in the first round, I was a high-level talent in college, but even the best in the world need to get coaching. I feel like Coach Moore is gonna really turn me from good to great. So, being able to just be around him as much as possible, being able to hear from him, listen and just gain as much wisdom and knowledge that he has of the game for me—it's gonna only elevate me."
The dynamic duo?
When circling back to McMillan on Saturday, Canales described how the team's 2025 first-round pick can help elevate the team's 2024 first-round pick, Xavier Legette.
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"The guys feed off of good energy. The guys feed off of watching this player make this play a certain way," Canales told reporters. "They kinda just talk to each other, and just cross-pollenating all of that, bringing talented guys around. Xavier, who's a tireless worker, the things that he brings—he sets a good culture and a good precedent for the rest of the rookie class coming in. And they're gonna see what a young guy looks like applying themself to what we're doing."
Building up Brooks
Canales also explained the team's decision to place second-year running back Jonathon Brooks, who is recovering from another torn ACL, on the physically unable to perform list.
"It really just allows him to focus on what he's working on—which is full health, strength, best shape of his life to give him the best chance for when he comes back to us, he's running on all cylinders, that he doesn't have to think about anything. He can just play football and enjoy the game," Canales said Brooks, who will miss the entirety of the 2025 campaign. "And that's really what this is about. It's about him just being able to have a clear focus on what the goal is."
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Brooks missed the first 10 games of the 2024 season while finishing up the recovery from his first ACL tear, which he sustained in November of 2023. He went on to appear in just three games in 2024.
Need for speed
The Panthers may have finally found the speedster their offense has needed in wideout Jimmy Horn Jr., who wowed onlookers with his wheels this weekend. But he says we haven't even seen him kick it into top gear yet.
And when he does?
"I'll be flying," Horn replied when asked what his full speed will look like. "I'll be out of here."
Horn averaged 12.1 yards per reception over his four-year collegiate career. His big-play prowess could help Carolina, whose offense averaged the third-fewest yards per passing attempt (6.2) this past season.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Biggest takeaways from Panthers' 2025 rookie minicamp
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