Adam Thielen: 'Best Rookie Group I've Ever Been Around'

The Panthers had just five picks in the 2023 NFL Draft but they found some extremely talented dudes with high upside in those five selections.

Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen has played a lot of ball in his career but this batch of rookies in particular has really blown him away.

"Honestly, I would say Bryce [Young] and really all these young guys have impressed me. Probably the best rookie group I've ever been around as far as just coming in here and not missing a beat," Thielen told the media Tuesday afternoon. "They haven't had as many reps as we've had. We've had a couple more weeks of practicing and being around each other and they came in and really didn't miss a beat. In my eleven years in the league, I've never seen a group that just hasn't looked like rookies."

That analysis should fire up Panthers fans considering he's played with a bevy of talented youngsters during his time in Minnesota. The Vikings' 2015 draft class was comprised of WR Stefon Diggs, DE Danielle Hunter, and LB Eric Kendricks and then the 2020 class, headlined by WR Justin Jefferson.

Much of Thielen's tenure with the Vikings was spent with a veteran quarterback at the helm, be it Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, or Kirk Cousins. It's been a while since he's had a younger guy playing the position but Bryce Young has already made a strong first impression.

"There was so much talk about him, so there's not a whole lot of surprise. For me, it's probably been his movement in the pocket. His ability to get the ball out on time but do that in a way that's not just sitting in one stagnant spot. Sometimes it can be easy this time of the year when you're not getting hit, no pads on, to kind of just sit there no fear and just throw it around. But you can tell he practices like a game. I've always been a firm believer that when you do that, it makes the games a lot easier."

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