The Carolina Panthers have been on a quest to bolster their wide receiver lineup ever since the legendary Steve Smith hung up his cleats. While DJ Moore and Adam Thielen have both stepped up as formidable No. 1 options in recent years, the team has struggled to build a deep enough roster to truly challenge opposing defenses through the air.
Hopes were high heading into last season, but the Panthers didn't see the anticipated leap from 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker's absence due to injuries only compounded the issue. This left Tetairoa McMillan, the 2025 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, carrying a hefty load, with nearly 60 more targets than any other Panther receiver.
This season, the Panthers are looking to change the narrative, and part of that responsibility could fall on the shoulders of Chris Brazzell II, their third-round pick from the 2026 draft. The buzz around Brazzell is growing, especially after he turned heads during spring training. He seems to be making the most of his summer break, keeping sharp and focused.
Brazzell shared a highlight reel on Instagram over the weekend, showcasing his skills and work ethic. As it stands, he's expected to begin the season as the No. 4 wideout, trailing behind McMillan, Coker, and Legette. However, his path to more playing time could be paved by mastering the fundamentals that have been elusive for Legette and proving himself as a reliable deep threat for quarterback Bryce Young.
Young, for his part, has been impressed with what he's seen from Brazzell so far. "You would've thought he'd been in a pro-style system throughout his whole life," Young remarked during mandatory minicamp.
"He's coming in understanding splits, understanding landmarks, understanding route timing, route tempo, where to be at the right time. So I've been super impressed with his professionalism, the ability to do stuff, the ability for everything to translate."
Standing at 6-foot-4, Brazzell made a significant impact at Tennessee in 2025, hauling in 62 catches for 1,017 yards and leading the conference with nine touchdowns. If he can bring that same level of play to the Panthers, he could be a game-changer in their quest for a more dynamic passing attack.
In Other News...
Panthers Camp Has Turned Bryce Youngs Backup Job Into A Real Fight
Training camp has turned the backup quarterback job behind Bryce Young into one of the more interesting spots on the Panthers roster, with three names in the mix and very different paths to this point. Kenny Pickett arrives as the former first-round pick and the most established of the group, while Haynes King is trying to turn camp reps into a real foothold after entering the league undrafted. Will Grier is back in the conversation too, giving Carolina a familiar face in a competition that now has at least a little intrigue.
Pickett still looks like the safest bet to handle the No. 2 role, but the Panthers have more going on than just that pecking order. Kings development gives the team a useful wild card, and Grier is hanging around as the long-shot option in a room that could get squeezed once roster decisions start tightening elsewhere. Even if the backup spot seems to have a clear front-runner, there is still enough movement here to keep the quarterback picture worth watching through the rest of camp. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Fans Wont Love What This Says About Monroe Freeling
Monroe Freeling arrived in Carolina with first-round expectations, but the early picture around the rookie tackle is more about patience than immediate impact. The Panthers have had him working at both tackle spots, giving him a chance to learn the full scope of the position as he settles in and adjusts to the speed of the pro game.
For now, the bigger takeaway is that Freeling looks like a long-term investment rather than a quick fix. Carolina sees him as a developmental piece who could grow into either tackle job down the line, especially with the current starters moving toward future contract decisions, but that also means fans hoping for an instant fix may need to wait. [Read more 🡒]
49ers May Have A Tough QB Decision Before The Deadline
The quarterback picture in San Francisco is crowded enough that a move before the deadline is easy to imagine, even with Brock Purdy entrenched and Mac Jones sitting in a murkier spot. Jones is entering the final year of his contract, and that alone makes him one of the more watchable names on the roster if the 49ers decide to listen and a team sees a chance to get him out of the building sooner rather than later.
For Carolina, the interest is obvious enough to keep in mind whenever the Panthers' quarterback conversation comes up. If they decide Bryce Young is not the long-term answer, Jones profiles as the kind of passer a club could try to build around instead of simply patching the position for a season, which is why this is the sort of situation worth tracking as the deadline gets closer. [Read more 🡒]