Stock up, stock down: Two Panthers rookies are on the rise while one major name takes a big hit

There was a mixture of some good and bad in the Carolina Panthers' preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, which was to be expected. A handful of players took full advantage of their opportunity tonight, while others would like to get this one back.

Whose stock rose after tonight's game? Whose fell? Let's take a look at this week's stock watch.

Stock up: WR Tetairoa McMillan

Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) starts his route during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

He didn't need to be perfect, and he wasn't, but T-Mac had to show some flashes. Right out of the shoot, he hauled in a 30-yard 50-50 ball down the sideline from Bryce Young on a go route. He made another catch for 13 yards and should have had one more that went for a score, but came out of his break too slow and dropped a ball in the end zone. Overall, still a nice night for the first rounder.

Stock up: WR Jalen Coker

Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) celebrates with quarterback Bryce Young (9) after a touchdown catch in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Coker just continues to make big catch after big catch, further proving every single NFL team wrong for not drafting him a year ago. He came down with the team's only touchdown of the night and also had an impressive one-handed grab with a Browns defensive back draped all over him.

Stock up: DL Nic Scourton

Jul 24, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic Scourton (11) walks up for training camp. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

We've heard a bunch about Princely Umanmielen early on in training camp, but not nearly as much on Scourton. He needed to come out and put together a respectable performance tonight, which he certainly did. He finished with a pair of tackles for loss and a sack.

Stock up: CB Corey Thornton

He was part of the coverage that gave up one of Shedeur Sanders' passing touchdowns, but it was a really good throw, more than anything. Aside from that one touchdown, Thornton was airtight in coverage and played with some physicality in the run game. He got the start for Jaycee Horn tonight, and I believe he's already shown he has what it takes to make the 53-man roster.

Stock down: WR Xavier Legette

Legette's night was a brief one, getting ejected after exchanging haymakers with Browns defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins in the first quarter. He didn't get to stay in long enough to even see one pass go in his direction, and for a guy that's trying to prove he's a top two or three option in the passing game, you just can't afford to do that. Preseason or not, you can't have that.

Stock down: S Nick Scott

One of the big game-changing plays in the first half was the muffed punt by rookie Trevor Etienne. While Etienne should have been yelling "fire" to let his teammates get out of the way, it's also on Scott for getting blocked into his return man. Etienne made up for it with a 20-yard return earlier, but Scott did not.

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