CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton dropped back on the first play of an 11-on-11 drill and connected with rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess on a deep out route.

“Nice, Funchess!’’ teammates shouted.

“Good job, Funchess!’’ coaches yelled.

Newton came right back to Funchess on the next play, but the second-round pick out of Michigan couldn’t come up with the one-handed catch down the sideline.

Later in the series, on third-and-goal from the 6, Newton zipped a hard pass over veteran cornerback Charles Tillman to Funchess in the left corner of the end zone that required every bit of the 6-foot-4, 232-pound receiver's reach.

Rookie Devin Funchess already has shown he's willing to put in the work to help him succeed. AP Photo/Chuck Burton

After months of working with the JUGS machine set on high to prepare for the NFL, Funchess made it look easy.

One thing that has become clear during the first six practices in Phase 3 of offseason workouts: Funchess is going to make an immediate impact for the Panthers.

He continues to play all three receiver positions and looks natural at each. Most of his snaps come with the first team as he gets additional reps while 2014 first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin nurses a sore hamstring.

“He’s different from Kelvin,’’ wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl said. “He’s very athletic. He’s sneaky fast. He’s fluid. We’re just working on him coming off the ball fast. He’s one of those guys, when as a coach you watch him, he doesn’t look like he’s running.

“But he is because he’s so smooth.’’

At this point, Proehl and Funchess are focused on the details of routes.

“A lot of these guys coming from college to the pros, it’s the little things that separate themselves from being a great route runner,’’ Proehl said. “Right now, in my opinion, he’s not a great route runner.’’

But Proehl believes Funchess has all the physical tools to be a great route runner -- and a great receiver.

“He pays attention to details, so it’s not going to be a long time for this kid,’’ Proehl said.

That Funchess took the time to work with the JUGS machine on high prior to arriving at Carolina is a prime example. It helped him prepare for the hard -- and sometimes high -- passes Newton tends to throw.

“His catch radius is really good,’’ coach Ron Rivera said of Funchess. “With Cam, it helps.’’

Funchess and Newton have developed a chemistry and trust that will speed up the rookie’s development. Funchess’ biggest challenge with Newton is being ready for anything.

“He’s only got one speed, that’s all I can say, is fast,’’ Funchess said with a laugh. “It comes in hot.’’

The toughest adjustment for Funchess?

“One speaks fast, one speaks slow, one speaks medium,’’ he said of Carolina’s three quarterbacks without identifying who was who among Newton, Derek Anderson and Joe Webb. “So you’ve got to get used to that . . . different accents and all that.’’

If Funchess adjusts to that the way he has to some of Newton’s passes, he should be fine.

“It’s been good,’’ Funchess said as he summed up his first two weeks. “Just the speed and the IQ of the defense is different. I’ve got to get used to that, coming from college, and we should be rolling.’’