2023 vs. 2025 WR Rooms

[Stuart Smith]

On 8/6/2025 at 1:15 PM, frankw said:

I mean at the end of the day it didn’t have to be that dire. Nobody put a gun to our head and forced us to trade DJ Moore.

Times will tell. There are differing opinions and always will be about “the trade.” The fact that people in charge finally had a a plan going forward will prove to be the difference, especially if Bryce continues on an upward trajectory. 

[CPcavedweller]

3 hours ago, Icege said:

idk man, as much as I like DJ Chark, he hasn't exactly out performed his second round draft status (some would argue that he hasn't lived up to it).

The ceiling difference between Chark, Mingo, TMJ, and ISM vs. TMac, XL, Coker, and Horn Jr to me is massive.

My point wasn't to say that Chark has lived up to his draft status, which I'd say a 2nd rounder getting 1,000 yards is fine. It's more or less to say that we shouldn't crown Tet, or Legette, for that matter. 

Legette has produced for us but his drops cost us at least one win, maybe more. Horn Jr. is fighting for a roster spot still but looks likely to make it, still hasn't played a down. 

I also have to wonder how much of this is related to coaching? What would Chark and TMJ look like playing in a Canales offense? On raw ability, Chark and TMJ were uber talented receivers stuck here with poor coaching. Sort of like how Sam nearly carried the team, with Wilks and a smashmouth run game, to the playoffs. 

I'll wait to see how Tet and Horn perform, and if XL can resolve his catch issues or if he fades into Panthers 2nd round receiver obscurity. Too early to tell. 

[CPcavedweller]

2 hours ago, Stuart Smith said:

Times will tell. There are differing opinions and always will be about “the trade.” The fact that people in charge finally had a a plan going forward will prove to be the difference, especially if Bryce continues on an upward trajectory. 

I wanted to, and still wish we would have traded down. Retain Wilks, retain Darnold, retain the battering ram at RB, build out the offensive line and build a smashmouth offense with deadly downfield play action passing. Now what I'm describing is largely the Lions, but that's what worked in 2022.

Instead I've had to wait three years of time that I'll never get back, in my life which is limited like the rest of us, for us to maybe be decent again. That's what people don't get. Sure, we are just fans. But many of us have been around so long that you have major life events tied to certain team events in your memory, right or wrong. 

We have sucked for 8 years. The Panthers have not had a winning season for my middle sons entire life. That is insane. 

Make it worth trading our time to support your product. Time is the only currency we have that really matters and we hand it out like we can go pick more from the tree in the front yard. 

Y'all got me all philosophical now. 

[Udogg]

26 minutes ago, CPcavedweller said:

I wanted to, and still wish we would have traded down. Retain Wilks, retain Darnold, retain the battering ram at RB, build out the offensive line and build a smashmouth offense with deadly downfield play action passing. Now what I'm describing is largely the Lions, but that's what worked in 2022.

Instead I've had to wait three years of time that I'll never get back, in my life which is limited like the rest of us, for us to maybe be decent again. That's what people don't get. Sure, we are just fans. But many of us have been around so long that you have major life events tied to certain team events in your memory, right or wrong. 

We have sucked for 8 years. The Panthers have not had a winning season for my middle sons entire life. That is insane. 

Make it worth trading our time to support your product. Time is the only currency we have that really matters and we hand it out like we can go pick more from the tree in the front yard. 

Y'all got me all philosophical now. 

I try to maintain hope for the big payoff.  I was sure it was 2015... but maybe this year. a decade later... it all happens.  My feel bad sometimes that I made my son a Panthers fan.  Then I think ..we live in Atlanta ..he could be a Falcons fan.... so that's how I sleep at night

 

[outlaw4]

Personally, it's not that big of a margin... yet. As of now, Thielen is still our best receiver. McMillan could be great, but it's all potential until we start playing real games. Coker had good moments but can he show us he can be Thielen's successor? XL has to start catching these balls or he'll join the too long list of Panthers WR failures.

I have more optimism with the TE room solely because one player isn't here anymore. 

[ColumbusCounty]

1 hour ago, CPcavedweller said:

I also have to wonder how much of this is related to coaching? What would Chark and TMJ look like playing in a Canales offense? On raw ability, Chark and TMJ were uber talented receivers stuck here with poor coaching. Sort of like how Sam nearly carried the team, with Wilks and a smashmouth run game, to the playoffs. 

I'll wait to see how Tet and Horn perform, and if XL can resolve his catch issues or if he fades into Panthers 2nd round receiver obscurity. Too early to tell. 

TMJ would perform at training camp and then go blank in game. He ended up being a worse version of Lafell, which is crazy after you realize how much natural ability he actually had at LSU.

Our resume of drafted WRs is terrible lol. Lafell, Marshall, Mingo, Funchess, Jarrett...smdh..

One would think that we would start targeting WRs that could create via routes. It just took our FO too long to understand that. 

 

[Davidson Deac II]

I will be glad when September gets here, so we can start talking about how they are doing instead of how they might do.  

That being said, I don't think think we will play that well at first, and we could end up 1-3 after the first four games, but we will hopefully get better as the season goes along.  

[frankw]

Just now, Davidson Deac II said:

I will be glad when September gets here, so we can start talking about how they are doing instead of how they might do.  

That being said, I don't think think we will play that well at first, and we could end up 1-3 after the first four games, but we will hopefully get better as the season goes along.  

That would be very bad for the FO and staff. Even if they don't necessarily win the team needs to look competent and competitive early. Anything less they deserve any and all criticism.

[ColumbusCounty]

4 minutes ago, Davidson Deac II said:

I will be glad when September gets here, so we can start talking about how they are doing instead of how they might do.  

That being said, I don't think think we will play that well at first, and we could end up 1-3 after the first four games, but we will hopefully get better as the season goes along.  

Think I saw yesterday that our first 7 games are against non playoff teams from the previous year... Hopefully we start strong 

[Davidson Deac II]

19 minutes ago, ColumbusCounty said:

Think I saw yesterday that our first 7 games are against non playoff teams from the previous year... Hopefully we start strong 

Playoff teams change every year.

Three of the first four are considered potential challengers for a playoff spot.  Only New England is considered really weak.  We start with three out of four on the road.  Honestly, if we finish the first 4 with a 2-2 record, I will be satisfied.    

[Davidson Deac II]

31 minutes ago, frankw said:

That would be very bad for the FO and staff. Even if they don't necessarily win the team needs to look competent and competitive early. Anything less they deserve any and all criticism.

I agree the team needs to look competent.  But I was only referring to wins and losses.   And in terms of wins and losses, the only thing that matters is our record at the end of the season.  

[ColumbusCounty]

26 minutes ago, Davidson Deac II said:

Playoff teams change every year.

Three of the first four are considered potential challengers for a playoff spot.  Only New England is considered really weak.  We start with three out of four on the road.  Honestly, if we finish the first 4 with a 2-2 record, I will be satisfied.    

Let's see.. 

Jags

Cardinals

Falcons 

Patriots

Dolphins

Cowboys 

Jets

Just looking at the first 7... Im thinking we need to exit those with atleast 3-4 wins. Extremely possible but that's the optimist talking. 

[WhoKnows]

4 hours ago, CPcavedweller said:

My point wasn't to say that Chark has lived up to his draft status, which I'd say a 2nd rounder getting 1,000 yards is fine. It's more or less to say that we shouldn't crown Tet, or Legette, for that matter. 

Legette has produced for us but his drops cost us at least one win, maybe more. Horn Jr. is fighting for a roster spot still but looks likely to make it, still hasn't played a down. 

I also have to wonder how much of this is related to coaching? What would Chark and TMJ look like playing in a Canales offense? On raw ability, Chark and TMJ were uber talented receivers stuck here with poor coaching. Sort of like how Sam nearly carried the team, with Wilks and a smashmouth run game, to the playoffs. 

I'll wait to see how Tet and Horn perform, and if XL can resolve his catch issues or if he fades into Panthers 2nd round receiver obscurity. Too early to tell. 

TMJ was never uber talented, ever. His lack of separation was obscene. It’s why we kept getting people in here thinking he’d break out if he played more. He played 60%+ of the offensive snaps in his first two years but no one saw him because he couldn’t get open.

TMac has made more plays in camp than I remember from TMJ’s Panther career.

[CPcavedweller]

3 minutes ago, WhoKnows said:

TMJ was never uber talented, ever. His lack of separation was obscene. It’s why we kept getting people in here thinking he’d break out if he played more. He played 60%+ of the offensive snaps in his first two years but no one saw him because he couldn’t get open.

TMac has made more plays in camp than I remember from TMJ’s Panther career.

Physically gifted. Better?