Panthers Fan Survey: Predicting Carolina’s Top Receiver for the 2025 Season.
As the Carolina Panthers look ahead to the 2025 NFL season, one of the most pressing questions fans and analysts are asking centers around the team’s receiving corps. After years of searching for a consistent, dominant threat in the passing game, the franchise hopes this is the year someone emerges as a true No. 1 target for second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers Reacts Survey—a tool used to gauge fan sentiment—has sparked a lively debate among Carolina’s passionate fanbase: who will lead the team in receiving this year? With a mix of veterans, promising young talent, and new additions, the race is as wide open as ever.
The most obvious contender in the conversation is Jonathan Mingo, who enters his sophomore campaign with high expectations. Mingo showed flashes of his potential during his rookie season, particularly in games where he demonstrated his ability to high-point the ball and make contested catches. His size, physicality, and work ethic have all drawn praise from coaches and teammates, and with a year of experience under his belt, many fans believe he’s ready to take that next step. In the survey, a significant percentage of respondents backed Mingo as the breakout candidate to lead Carolina in receiving yards and receptions.
Adding intrigue to the conversation is the arrival of veteran wideout Diontae Johnson, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers during the offseason. Johnson brings much-needed route-running polish and NFL experience to a relatively young group of receivers. Known for his quick cuts, precise routes, and ability to create separation, Johnson could become Bryce Young’s security blanket in the short-to-intermediate passing game. While he battled drops and inconsistencies in Pittsburgh, his talent was never in question. If he stays healthy and builds early chemistry with Young, Johnson may quietly put together a 1,000-yard season and emerge as the Panthers’ most dependable receiving threat.
Another name gaining traction among Panthers fans is rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette, Carolina’s first-round draft pick out of South Carolina. Legette combines speed, size, and explosiveness, making him a potential game-changer on the outside. During his final collegiate season, he torched SEC defenses with big plays and showcased an improved ability to separate from defenders. Fans who voted for Legette in the survey believe his skill set gives him the highest ceiling of any receiver on the roster, and his big-play potential could make him a go-to option for Bryce Young in crucial moments. While rookies often face a learning curve, Legette’s college production and athletic profile suggest he could be a difference-maker from day one.
Veteran tight end Tommy Tremble also earned a few nods in the survey, particularly from fans who believe the Panthers’ offensive scheme will feature more tight end involvement. Tremble has quietly developed into a reliable target over the middle, and his rapport with Young could lead to an uptick in targets. While it’s unlikely he’ll lead the team in total receiving yards, Tremble could be among the team leaders in red zone targets and touchdowns, which adds an interesting wrinkle to the overall production picture.
Adam Thielen, though entering the twilight of his career, remains a respected veteran presence on the roster. After posting respectable numbers in 2024 despite the Panthers’ offensive struggles, Thielen’s reliability and football IQ are not to be dismissed. His leadership in the locker room is invaluable, and he continues to be a model of professionalism. Though most fans view him as a complementary piece at this stage, Thielen could still play a vital role, particularly in key third-down situations or when the team needs a steady hand.
Outside of the main contenders, some Panthers fans also mentioned Laviska Shenault Jr., who has been used in a hybrid role since arriving in Carolina. While Shenault’s touches have been limited and inconsistent, his ability to create yards after contact makes him a threat whenever he gets the ball in space. However, given his niche role and competition for targets, it would be surprising to see Shenault emerge as the statistical leader in the passing game.
Another wildcard option is Terrace Marshall Jr., a once-promising prospect who has struggled to carve out a consistent role since being drafted. Marshall’s size and hands have always intrigued fans, and a strong offseason could rekindle hope that he can contribute in a meaningful way. However, patience is wearing thin among the fanbase, and his chances of leading the team in receiving appear slim unless he has a dramatic resurgence.
What makes this conversation so engaging is the level of uncertainty surrounding the Panthers’ offense as a whole. The team brought in a new offensive coordinator for the 2025 season, aiming to breathe new life into a unit that ranked near the bottom of the league last year. This change in philosophy may create more opportunities for creativity, spacing, and tempo—factors that could significantly influence which receiver benefits most. Fans who participated in the Reacts Survey appear cautiously optimistic that the offensive scheme will better utilize the talents of the skill players, especially with a more experienced Bryce Young at the helm.
Speaking of Young, his development is at the center of the discussion. After a turbulent rookie year filled with growing pains, the former Alabama star has reportedly made strides in his mechanics, decision-making, and leadership. The quarterback-receiver connection is often the key determinant of a team’s success in the passing game, and whoever builds the strongest bond with Young will likely see the most targets. In that sense, Johnson’s veteran savvy, Mingo’s physical upside, and Legette’s explosiveness all offer different paths to becoming “the guy.”
Coaches have made it clear that the competition at wide receiver will be fierce throughout training camp and preseason. Head coach Dave Canales has emphasized that roles and starting jobs will be earned through performance, not reputation. That message has resonated with fans, many of whom expressed in the survey that they’re more interested in seeing production than potential. The days of assuming a player’s pedigree will translate to on-field success are over; Panthers fans want results, and they want to see Bryce Young flourish with the right supporting cast.
In analyzing the data from the Reacts Survey, it becomes clear that while Jonathan Mingo may have a slight edge in fan sentiment, no single player has emerged as the overwhelming favorite. Instead, what you find is a healthy spread of opinions reflecting the wide-open nature of the receiving battle. This level of parity might concern some franchises, but for Carolina, it could be a blessing in disguise. Competition breeds excellence, and the internal pressure to stand out may be exactly what this group needs to unlock its full potential.
There’s also an underlying excitement among fans about the future. The combination of youth and upside in the receiving corps offers hope that the Panthers can finally turn the page on years of offensive inconsistency. A strong performance from the receivers could not only aid Bryce Young’s development but also reinvigorate a fan base eager for something to cheer about. The 2025 season represents more than just a chance for statistical success—it’s an opportunity to redefine what Carolina Panthers football looks like on offense.
While some teams enter the season with a clear pecking order at wide receiver, Carolina’s situation is far more fluid, and that’s exactly what makes this topic so compelling. Every training camp rep, every preseason game, and every early-season target will help determine who rises to the top. The Panthers’ offensive identity is still forming, and the player who claims the role of leading receiver will help shape that identity for years to come.
Ultimately, the Reacts Survey serves as a snapshot of fan expectations and hopes. It captures the excitement, the debate, and the cautious optimism surrounding the Panthers’ offense. Whether it’s Mingo, Johnson, Legette, or someone else entirely, one thing is certain: Carolina needs a receiver to step up and take control. The path to becoming that leader is open, and the competition promises to be one of the most important—and entertaining—storylines of the Panthers’ 2025 campaign.
