Noah Fant? "Perfect fix?" More like imperfect fix.

[TD alt]

Dean Jones, the resident writer for Cat Crave, thinks that we should consider signing Noah Fant. Jones titles his article: 

Panthers quietly handed perfect fix for overlooked flaw at just the right time

He calls the TE position an "overlooked flaw," and even though I wouldn't necessarily go as far as that, I do believe that the Panthers would instantly buttress the position with a Fant signing.

The Panthers just may throw out feelers, and there are connections.

 

"Fant played for Panthers' tight ends coach Pat McPherson for two seasons. He was also in Seattle with head coach Dave Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik in 2022. This also happens to be a position group that is dangerously short of dependable options."

 

I guess it comes down to whether or not the Panthers believe that our guys can be the real deal, or at least fill the need that Canales and company have for this offense. I have been skeptical of the lack of TE involvement in the regular flow of the offense since Canales has taken over, but it may be because of the lack of legit and/or experienced personnel. Fant hasn't been spectacular. He is an apt move-TE though. He is a so-so middle of the pack-ish pass blocker. His run blocking grades leave a lot to be desired (save for one year). 

I guess that I could see it, but I just don't know if Fant moves the needle enough to spend the extra money on him. For a first rounder, he's been kind of a bust in my opinion. He's still NFL-worthy, and he's still in the prime of his career. But, I think I'm more in disagreement with Jones about thinking Fant is the "perfect fix." He just may be a more expensive, albeit more experienced, option than we already have.

 

https://catcrave.com/panthers-quietly-handed-perfect-fix-for-overlooked-flaw-just-right-time

[frankw]

I wouldn't be opposed to weighing it as an option but I don’t agree with presenting it as a major missed opportunity if we don't. Upon reading some comments on Reddit from fans of his recent teams he basically makes virtually no effort to block and does not like contact. The plus side is he will have some big games but then eventually completely disappear. All in all sounds like the quintessential Panthers TE.

[LinvilleGorge]

9 minutes ago, frankw said:

I wouldn't be opposed to weighing it as an option but I don’t agree with presenting it as a major missed opportunity if we don't. Upon reading some comments on Reddit from fans of his recent teams he basically makes virtually no effort to block and does not like contact. The plus side is he will have some big games but then eventually completely disappear. All in all sounds like the quintessential Panthers TE.

Makes sense. I mean, his receiving stats aren't terrible. Basically mid-marginal starter/high end #2 type numbers. Gotta be some reason why a guy with that type of production who is only 27 years old is sitting on a couch.

Surprising for a guy coming out of Iowa. I mean, Iowa has basically become TE U in recent years.

[L-TownCat]

The issue is who does he push down the depth chart?  When tremble comes back he’s TE1 and Sanders is TE2.  If we sign Fant are we ok limiting Sanders development and basically keeping the rookie we drafted off the field? 

[ECHornet]

9 minutes ago, L-TownCat said:

The issue is who does he push down the depth chart?  When tremble comes back he’s TE1 and Sanders is TE2.  If we sign Fant are we ok limiting Sanders development and basically keeping the rookie we drafted off the field? 

If Tremble is TE1, then I think I agree with the writer and Fant needs to be signed. I like Tremble, but he has a long way to go before he’s at Fant’s level. 
 

ETA: I believe Sanders will be our TE1 if the room stays as is. 

Edited 11 hours ago by ECHornet

[LinvilleGorge]

8 minutes ago, ECHornet said:

If Tremble is TE1, then I think I agree with the writer and Fant needs to be signed. I like Tremble, but he has a long way to go before he’s at Fant’s level. 
 

ETA: I believe Sanders will be our TE1 if the room stays as is. 

Seriously. I certainly hope that Sanders is TE1. I don't know that he's the long-term solution there but I'm pretty damn certain that Tremble definitely isn't.

[L-TownCat]

43 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Seriously. I certainly hope that Sanders is TE1. I don't know that he's the long-term solution there but I'm pretty damn certain that Tremble definitely isn't.

I put sanders at TE2 because they want him to play lighter and split out wide more.  Tremble and Mitchell will be the traditional blocking TEs.

[frankw]

9 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Makes sense. I mean, his receiving stats aren't terrible. Basically mid-marginal starter/high end #2 type numbers. Gotta be some reason why a guy with that type of production who is only 27 years old is sitting on a couch.

Surprising for a guy coming out of Iowa. I mean, Iowa has basically become TE U in recent years.

Ultimately sounds like a signing that would be a slight upgrade over what we already had in Ian Thomas. I'd probably just be more interested in giving the young TE's those touches.

Edited 2 hours ago by frankw

[PanthersGTI]

I wouldn't mind it if they bring him in cheap for competition. I would imagine he would vie for the 3rd TE spot with the rookie.