Tight End: The Need is Bigger than We Think

[MHS831]

What you are going to see from MHS831, your "source for Panther Predictions that are Unlikely to Happen but if they did, they would be 'real cool,'" is a position-by-position breakdown of needs that we seem to have normalized. 

Tight End:  The team is looking for a "game-breaker" and to improve upon a 24th-ranked red-zone offense. Though they have brought back their own players for depth, the organization is looking for more competition to improve the position's overall impact.  In 2025, the unit averaged 8.1 yards per reception, failing to consistently stretch the field or provide a "scary" threat to opposing defenses.  I think they were hoping that Sanders would be that person.  He is not.  I have read some Huddlers demanding the "all-around" TE, and that point is valid.  However, you have to think about the focus on developing Young and the new age TE in the NFL.   

"The Carolina Panthers have heavily utilized multi-tight end sets, ranking among the top NFL teams in using 13 personnel (three tight ends)—a strategy they employed on 7.8% of plays during the 2025 season. Under coach Dave Canales, the team employs these formations to bolster the run game and create diverse passing matchups."  This is why a seam-busting, pass-catching TE is so critically important for the Panthers.  

This need is perhaps much bigger than we realize.  Do not discount the possibility of drafting Sadiq if he is there; I have seen him in the top 15 frequently. Too many drops for me, personally, and I am not a fan of a TE in round 1 (gotta think salary cap--grab a position that normally gets a high salary on the second contract--not a TE)  Stowers in round 2 is also an option.  I am intrigued by Trigg, a TE who should be drafted in the third round.

Let our interest in Njoku demonstrate the kind of TE we seek right now.  Do we need blocking TEs?  Yes, but in a two or three WR set, maybe not as much as a traditional TE.

I get the feeling we are not finished at TE.  (Njoku?  I am predicting that he goes to Chicago or Baltimore or Miami--Chicago #1)

 

[*FreeFua*]

I’m old enough to remember when I wanted to draft Njoku

We brought back Mitchell and officially kept Tremble. Mitchell Evans isn’t going anywhere. Sanders who knows, he was awful last year

I fully agree we need a better TE. This room is awful

Njoku would be a massive help in the red zone. However it really seems like Dan and the FO prefer to go young on offense

[MHS831]

19 minutes ago, *FreeFua* said:

I’m old enough to remember when I wanted to draft Njoku

We brought back Mitchell and officially kept Tremble. Mitchell Evans isn’t going anywhere. Sanders who knows, he was awful last year

I fully agree we need a better TE. This room is awful

Njoku would be a massive help in the red zone. However it really seems like Dan and the FO prefer to go young on offense

I think the Njoku interest revealed intent and the type of TE they want.  I really expected more from Sanders.

[*FreeFua*]

2 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I think the Njoku interest revealed intent and the type of TE they want.  I really expected more from Sanders.

I’ve haven’t seen anything that says we have interest in Njoku?

[45catfan]

The 3rd through the 5th rounds are where the value is if we are interested.  I really don't like the idea of Sadiq.  While he's the top of the group, it's a depth year for the position.  He would have been TE3, at best, in last year's group.

 

[firefox1234]

Our red zone offense was excruciatingly painful to watch last season. A half decent TE would do a lot to change that.

[45catfan]

Justin Joly in the 3rd.  

[MHS831]

10 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Justin Joly in the 3rd.  

To the best of my knowledge, he is the only one we have talked to...he can run the full route tree.  They showed us their "type" of TE when they showed interest in Njoku.  I think they would rather have a veteran.  Over the past 2 years, they have done some "bottom fishing" for a gem on day 3 (Sanders, Evans)

[MHS831]

15 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Justin Joly in the 3rd.  

I had him as a hopeful 4th rounder, but he might not be there.

[45catfan]

43 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

To the best of my knowledge, he is the only one we have talked to...he can run the full route tree.  They showed us their "type" of TE when they showed interest in Njoku.  I think they would rather have a veteran.  Over the past 2 years, they have done some "bottom fishing" for a gem on day 3 (Sanders, Evans)

Joly has the one thing our current TE groups does not, really, really good hands.  Tremble has gotten better at catching, but will never have 'natural' hands.  Evans is a blocking TE that has okay hands. A passing game threat is what we thought we were getting when drafting Sanders, but have found out otherwise. 

With all the TEs we have drafted over the recent years, none of them have been considered a true weapon.  That needs to change. Blocking TEs are a dime a dozen and can be had on the cheap.  The miscalculation of the front office, folly if you will, is the idea of the Swiss Army knife TE, the guy that can do everything.  It takes a real gem to find a TE that does everything and do it well, so our jack of all trades ends up elite at nothing especially the one area where we (the fans) think the weak link is--a receiving threat.

[Basbear]

TE room is still awful young, even tremble is 25 or so years old. I feel they just need to "breakout" and yes any of the three young ones could do that. Sanders has been on that "breakout" path and each time get a freak injury. Evans had a solid rookie season and can improve if he wants it enough. Tremble he's right there too, came in awful young and just needs to get over the hump.

I feel the QB is holding them back.......

[Chief Keek]

5 minutes ago, Basbear said:

TE room is still awful young, even tremble is 25 or so years old. I feel they just need to "breakout" and yes any of the three young ones could do that. Sanders has been on that "breakout" path and each time get a freak injury. Evans had a solid rookie season and can improve if he wants it enough. Tremble he's right there too, came in awful young and just needs to get over the hump.

I feel the QB is holding them back.......

That about sums it up. A better TE isn't going to improve Bryce's inability to make the right read, he routinely misses guys who are open all the time.

[45catfan]

He made every type of catch you could ask out of a WR, let alone a TE. One-handed, diving, boundary top-tap, high point, extending on inaccurate throws, securing an ant burner, boxing out, back shoulder. Check, check, check, check, check, check and check.  Not to mention finishes a TD run on a bum leg after pulling a quad.