Rookie impact on season. Observer. Dressed 10 rookies yesterday

[raleigh-panther]

Panthers dressed 10 rookies yesterday

Panthers' rookies show why they're the present and the future in win vs. Bucs
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer 

The future looks bright in Carolina.

The present isn't too shabby for the Panthers (8-7), either, as they're just one win away from claiming their first NFC South title since 2015. And they're on the cusp of that elusive division championship with 11 rookies on their 53-man roster.

A handful of those first-year players were impossible to ignore during the team's 23-20 win over the tail-spinning Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.

While franchise mainstays like quarterback Bryce Young, defensive lineman Derrick Brown and cornerback Mike Jackson led the team across the finish line, it was rookie safety Lathan Ransom who capped the home win with a game-sealing interception. Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald made his fourth game-winning field goal of the season on the previous drive to put the Panthers up for good. And wideout Tetairoa McMillan and outside linebacker Nic Scourton both made several plays throughout the afternoon.

"It couldn't be at a better time, and it's why we play these guys," head coach Dave Canales said about performance of the rookies. "It's why we believe in them. We live through the bumps along the road with having young players out there. But at this time of year, they're young, they're strong, we had a bye week to get our legs back, and they love that."

"They looked fast," Canales added. "We had an aggressive style of play today. So I'm really proud of those young guys."

The Panthers' rookie class has stepped up week in and week out.

The group has plugged holes in the depth chart - created by mistakes of the organization's past - and taken on some meaningful roles down the stretch of Carolina's playoff push.

While Canales has felt the glory of the team's recent competitive streak, credit also belongs to GM Dan Morgan and his college scouting staff for identifying young players who aren't afraid of the moment.

Together, Canales and Morgan - and their respective staffs - have collected and developed an impressive and crowded rookie class that is not just important for future years, but the Panthers' current mission of planting a flag at the top of the NFC South.

McMillan, Scourton show why they could be special
The Panthers' first two picks in the 2025 draft, McMillan and Scourton, have proven their worth immediately.

McMillan, who should be considered a favorite of the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, scored his fifth touchdown in as many games on Sunday.

Young lofted a beautiful rainbow toss down the left sideline for McMillan, who beat Tampa Bay defensive back Jamel Dean by a couple of steps in the end zone, for a 22-yard touchdown in the second quarter. McMillan bounced back after failing to secure a couple of contested passes in the first half, and that touchdown brought new life to the Carolina faithful.

He finished with six catches for 73 yards and the score.

"The last couple of weeks were slow, but I trusted the process and trusted the game plan," McMillan said about his performance. "It just so happened to be today where I was a little bit more involved, and I'm super grateful for it. I'm not going to sit here and act like I had a good game, because I didn't. I just got to take advantage of the opportunities that come my way."

Scourton, the team's second-round pick, was a menace throughout the afternoon. He sniffed out screens, stonewalled runs, and got pressure on Baker Mayfield in key moments.

His relentless motor and budding football IQ helped the defense keep Mayfield and the rest of the Tampa Bay offense on their heels.

"I feel like I've always been an intelligent player, but never to this standpoint," Scourton said. "I've learned so much since I've been here. And you've got to keep going in the NFL, because people are trying to replace you, players get better, and you're playing against the best."

Scourton, who turned 21 in August, is second on the team in sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (six).

The rookie nearly took the lead in the former category when he and three other teammates collided into Mayfield in the fourth quarter. After initially receiving credit for the sack, the NFL later gave the credit to Brown.

Still, the veteran lineman gave Scourton his due after the game.

"Nic's a really good player - he's going to be a really, really good player," Brown said. "Still figuring it out, every now and then, but it's a thing, as a rookie, you have to go through that. But it's special to see him make the plays he's making and just popping up all over the place."

The best of the rest is still pretty darn good
Wide receiver Jimmy Horn, the team's final pick in the draft class, got involved early in the matchup, picking up 25 yards on a designed run on the opening series. The big pickup - aided by two quality blocks downfield by tight end Tommy Tremble - set up the first successful field goal of the game for Carolina.

Not to be outdone, tight end Mitchell Evans - the team's second fifth-round pick - chipped in a trio of catches for 23 yards. Fitzgerald, an undrafted rookie, made all three of his field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point attempts.

Ransom, a fourth-round pick, then made amends for his game-ending personal foul against the New Orleans Saints, with the last-minute pick of Mayfield with 42 seconds remaining.

"I understand that the game is not won or lost by one play, but people behind their phone are going to have their own opinions," Ransom said. "I just heard all the noise - listened to it and used it as fuel for this game."

"Super special," Scourton said about Ransom's interception. "That play that happened (last week), we didn't hold that against him. That's not his fault - he's just playing fast, playing hard, and that's exactly what he does every play. It means the world to me he made that play right when we needed it."

The Panthers dressed 10 rookies against the Buccaneers. Canales and Morgan trusted them all to execute in their roles.

And while the 2025 season has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride, the Panthers have been able to take the ups and downs into a special opportunity with a developing roster.

If the Panthers can win the division, the nucleus of organization's turnaround will be built - at least partially - on the youth movement that was created during a potentially monumental offseason.

[csx]

Many enjoy the idea of hoping for a miracle top draft pick to turn a franchise around. Im more interested in the draft this coming year than last because of the overall success of current rookie class.

[L-TownCat]

You mean to tell me it’s possible to draft  a good player in the 2nd round?  
 

[hepcat]

Dan Morgan earned his job this offseason. Best draft class in probably 10 years. 

[Panthering]

Keep Pounding!

[Jackson113.2]

[shaqattaq]