Some players have come to the fore.
The Carolina Panthers now embark on a short break before training camp after their mandatory minicamp concluded. It was another fascinating and extremely worthwhile event, one that provided head coach Dave Canales with some useful insight to ponder in the coming weeks.
Players got the chance to showcase their abilities in a more intense setting. Some thrived under the spotlight, while others either stood pat or didn't do their chances much good.
Dan Morgan's already shown this offseason that he isn't afraid to make changes if they are required. He'll have been watching developments closely, but the front-office leader won't hesitate to shake things up if he believes more is needed.
It'll be interesting to see what conclusions are made. The Panthers have a real shot to progress and formally announce themselves back among the playoff hopefuls next season. But everything must go according to plan, or better than expected, to achieve this objective.
The more players perform above the levels anticipated, the better Carolina's chances will be. With this in mind, here are five Panthers who turned heads with superstar energy at mandatory minicamp in 2025.
Carolina Panthers who turned heads with superstar swagger at minicamp
Hunter Renfrow - Carolina Panthers WR
The Carolina Panthers gave Hunter Renfrow a chance to re-establish himself as an NFL pro this offseason. He'd fully recovered from the illness that kept him out for the entire 2024 campaign. And based on his efforts since joining the squad, he's been eager to make up for some lost time.
Renfrow's explosive route-running and assured hands have caught the eye significantly. The savvy veteran knows how to create space. He finds the soft spots in zone coverages and is a fluid mover. This is quickly earning the trust of quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales.
It's early days, but Renfrow is giving himself a real shot at being on the 53-man roster when Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars rolls around. Canales has praised the player. Teammates have done the same. The Pro Bowler's also lent his support and guidance to Carolina's young core of receivers, which speaks volumes considering his place on the squad is far from guaranteed.
Renfrow easily makes this team at the peak of his powers. Nothing is guaranteed anymore, but his performances throughout Carolina's mandatory minicamp get him a lot closer, that's for sure.
If Renfrow keeps this up at training camp and during his preseason involvement, the former Clemson standout will be rewarded accordingly.
Ja'Tavion Sanders - Carolina Panthers TE
Ja'Tavion Sanders flashed enormous promise as a rookie. The Carolina Panthers believe there is more to come from the athletic tight end, and he's been working hard in pursuit of hitting the ground running as the team's No. 1 option this time around.
Sanders gained more receiving yards than any tight end since Greg Olsen last season. He did this despite suffering a neck injury against the Kansas City Chiefs, which ruled him out for one game. It also saw the Panthers reduce his influence considerably to prevent any lingering issues.
Although disappointing, it does nothing to detract from the potential surrounding Sanders entering Year 2 of his professional career. The former Texas standout looks a lot leaner over early workouts. Some extra explosiveness and quick-twitch prowess have been evident, so all signs point to a big campaign from the player if the same trend continues.
With Tommy Tremble out with a back issue and rookie Mitchell Evans still trying to find his feet, Sanders has emerged as the tight-end alpha. He's worked hard during his time away from the team, and the early returns couldn't be more impressive.
If Sanders can keep this up, a potential breakout campaign could be in the offing.
Chau Smith-Wade - Carolina Panthers CB
Dan Morgan didn't strengthen the cornerback unit with the same urgency as other position groups on defense this offseason. That was a bemusing approach for most fans, but it's starting to become clearer why the general manager adopted this method.
Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. are the established duo. However, the impressive surge being displayed by Chau Smith-Wade over his second preparation period with the squad cannot be seen as anything other than positive.
Smith-Wade is growing in stature. The coaching staff lauded his increasing influence. Horn hailed the former Washington State standout as Carolina's best player over early workouts, highlighting his communication and ability to get everyone in the right position on any given down.
Having this grasp on the defense is rare for someone so young. It speaks volumes about Smith-Wade's intelligence and ability to put in the hard work nobody sees. It's also firmly establishing the defensive back as a key part of the team's strategy under Ejiro Evero's guidance.
It's easy to get carried away at this stage. Smith-Wade is off to an exceptional start, but the biggest challenges are to come. Last year's fifth-round pick needs to improve his coverage capabilities, become more impactful against the run, and catch the eye when the competition stiffens. Nothing else will do.
If Smith-Wade accomplishes these feats, expect to see him heavily involved.
Tre'von Moehrig - Carolina Panthers S
Dan Morgan knew what was required this offseason. The Carolina Panthers gave Ejiro Evero another shot to turn things around, so they had to invest their primary financial resources on the defensive side of the football.
Morgan focused his early attention on the trenches, which was essential for a team that gave up more than 3,000 rushing yards and the most single-season points in NFL history. However, one expensive addition to the secondary could be equally if not more important.
The Panthers shelled out decent money to acquire Tre'von Moehrig from the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. He was one of the best safeties on the market, so getting him represented a significant coup. The former second-round pick out of TCU is also keen to repay the faith shown in him by Carolina's front office.
Moehrig hasn't come to Carolina just for the big paycheck. He was to set the tone and raise this secondary to a new standard. He's setting an example for others to follow, especially where young players like Demani Richardson and rookie Lathan Ransom are concerned.
Getting a hefty contract raises expectations for Moehrig in a new environment. What he does in a competitive setting is more important, but the defensive back is off to a good start.
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
Bryce Young got back on track upon his return to the starting lineup in 2024. Getting benched after just two games lit a fire under the quarterback that is only growing. There is a different aura around him these days, which is only fueling the hope of a genuine Panthers turnaround next season.
Young has confidence. His swagger has returned, and there is a real purpose to the way he's going about his business. Everyone is feeding off his renewed energy, which is exactly what the Panthers had in mind when they traded a king's ransom for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The former Alabama standout displayed surgical precision and timing throughout Carolina's mandatory minicamp. Having scheme familiarity and coaching stability has helped Young tremendously. Everyone is also firmly behind the signal-caller, which wasn't always the case.
All signs are pointing up. There is a long way to go and a lot of hard work to come, but the Panthers might have a franchise quarterback for the first time since Cam Newton took the league by storm.
Complacency cannot creep into Young's mindset. Avoiding that should be a straightforward exercise given what it took the Heisman Trophy winner to reach this point of his NFL journey.
