It was always going to be a multi-year journey for the Carolina Panthers. 

Frank Reich warned the public during training camp. And at 1-7, the reality is that the Panthers being a good football team again won't happen this season — or even next.

The season began with optimism because of Bryce Young, along with a slew of other rookies. It has also faltered because of Young (and a bevy of other issues). Still, disappointing season or not, that doesn't save the 2023 rookie class from being graded on how they have fared thus far.  

QB, Bryce Young: Round 1, pick 1

The skinny: A quarterback is judged on wins. Bryce Young has one. His counterpart drafted after him has four. 



Young has struggled. There is no other way to put it. Young has seven interceptions. He also has seven touchdowns. He has struggled with pushing the ball downfield. And much of the razzle-dazzle game fans saw at Alabama hasn't transferred to the NFL. The good news is he still has time. Quarterbacks are afforded that more often than not — more so when they are the No. 1 pick. And for Young, he is sure to need all the time he can get. 



Grade: D+

WR, Jonathan Mingo: Round 2, Pick 39

The skinny: Mingo was always going to be a project. And his rookie season has only validated that reality. Through eight games, Mingo has 19 receptions for 195 yards and no touchdowns. 



There weren't massive expectations for Mingo. He has lived up to what most expected from him during his rookie year. 



Grade: C

Edge, DJ Johnson: Round 3, Pick 80

The skinny: DJ Johnson has seen limited snaps, but in his time — he has looked okay. 



Johnson has appeared in four games. He has six total tackles and three solo tackles, which came against the Colts in Week 9. 



Grade: C

OG, Chandler Zavala: Round 4, Pick 114

The skinny: Chandler Zavala's rookie season started strong, appearing in several of the Panthers' early matchups. Against the Lions, however, his fate changed. He suffered a scary neck injury that forced him to be hospitalized. 



Zavala returned to the team in early October, but since that injury, his reps have been sparse. Given his later-round draft selection and the scary injury, there isn't much the Panthers should expect from the rookie. 



Grade: C-

S, Jammie Robinson: Round 5, Pick 145

The skinny: Jammie Robinson's start to his career is going the way everyone expected. He is a rotational contributor, who has held up in the moments when thrust into action. 



On the year, Robinson has eight tackles in six games. He has good energy. And by every report, he has been a good locker room addition. 



Grade: C+ 

The Panthers rookie class has been a bit of a mixed bag. But what is most shocking has been Young's struggles throughout his rookie season. It doesn't help that the Panthers are watching CJ Stroud shatter rookie passing records.