His approach to rookie minicamp last season held a bit of delusion as well.
“Just kind of being a sponge,” mused Coker on what worked for him that first camp. “Just kind of taking everything in, just trying to listen and do the best I could to make an impact when I was able to.
“It was different though. Like I wasn’t like nervous or worried or anything. I just felt like, I deserved to be in this position. I worked so hard to be in this spot and I just never saw myself—I guess kind of a little bit of that delusion. I never saw myself not playing or not making the team, so that was kind of like confidence that I had coming in.”
Two rookies arriving soon are Tetairoa McMillan and Jimmy Horn Jr., who will also join the receiver room with Thielen and Coker. McMillan was the Panthers’ No. 8 overall pick last month, and Horn was nabbed in the sixth round from the PrimeTime Colorado Buffs.
Thielen said he reached out to both to offer his number and let them know he’s here for anything they need. For any technical note, piece of advice, or moment of veteran input he may offer shortly, though, the primary message remains the same.
Be delusional, and know this is when the work truly begins.
“Excited for them, obviously happy for them,” said Thielen, “but you also want those guys to realize that, just because you were drafted in the first round, it’s not over, like here we go, it’s just the beginning. So excited for him and excited to get him in.”