Why Panthers Fans Must Temper Expectations for Jimmy Horn Jr.
Why Panthers Fans Must Temper Expectations for Jimmy Horn Jr. originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Carolina Panthers have been desperate for a spark at wide receiver. So when rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. turned heads at minicamp with his blistering speed and natural agility, the fan base did what fan bases do, they got excited. Really excited. But it's time to tap the brakes.
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Yes, Horn's early flashes were impressive. The 5-foot-10, 176-pound speedster offers the kind of vertical burst Carolina's offense lacked last season. After all, the Panthers finished dead last in the NFL in passing yards per game (161.2) in 2024. Add in Horn's upside as a return man, and you've got a player with real potential. But potential and production are two different things.
Horn's college résumé doesn't scream 'immediate impact.' In four years across South Florida and Colorado, he totaled 1,967 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. His best season? Just 567 yards. For context, fellow rookie Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina's eighth overall pick surpassed 1,400 yards in one season at Arizona. Horn is a late-round flier, not a sure-thing starter.
And while Horn could carve out a role as a special teams ace where he averaged 22.2 yards per kick return last year, his transition to NFL-caliber defensive backs will be a major test. As Brian Beversluis of Cat Scratch Reader noted, 'I'm not currently expecting more than a 53-man roster spot at best until we see some training camp and preseason reps.'
Related: Panthers Could Give Bryce Young Familiar Weapon in Latest Trade Rumors
History also offers a warning. For every Tyreek Hill who breaks out early, there are a dozen rookies who shine in May and disappear by October. The NFL is a grind, and hype doesn't catch passes.
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Panthers fans have every right to be hopeful, especially after last year's strong finish. But hoping Jimmy Horn Jr. becomes Bryce Young's go-to target overnight sets the bar unfairly high. Let him grow, let him prove it, and most importantly, let's not expect a savior from a sixth-round pick just yet.
Related: Panthers Wide Receivers Are Catching Attention Before Training Camp
Cheer for Horn. Root for the breakout. But don't bet the house on minicamp highlights.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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