David Newton
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An image from Tight Finish College in late June says so much concerning the Carolina Panthers' tight finish scenario heading into coaching camp.
There was 2024 fourth-round decide Ja'Tavion Sanders pulling his lip down together with his proper pinkie to indicate the grillz he added to his decrease tooth.
Behind him to his proper is 2021 third-round decide Tommy Tremble, recovering from mid-Might again surgical procedure that may maintain him off the sector when coaching camp begins, giving the peace signal.
Behind to his left is Greg Olsen, one of many founding members of TEU (together with Travis Kelce and George Kittle) and arguably the most effective tight finish in Carolina historical past, with exaggerated wide-open eyes and an enormous smile.
The {photograph} is a reminder that Sanders is entrance and middle within the Panthers' tight finish room, despite the fact that it is his second NFL season, and that Tremble stays within the background due to his surgical procedure.
It is also a reminder that Olsen nonetheless hasn't been changed since his closing season with Carolina in 2019.
Sanders believes that is about to vary with him and fifth-round rookie Mitchell Evans main the cost at tight finish till Tremble is totally recovered, together with a large receiver corps that includes 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan and 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette.
“We're simply going to have matchup nightmares on the sector, for my part,” Sanders informed ESPN throughout necessary minicamp in June.
Carolina tight ends have not scared anyone the previous 5 years. They've ranked final within the NFL in targets (383), receptions (241), receiving yards (2,329), receiving touchdowns (13) and receiving first downs (104).
For perspective, throughout a three-season stretch from 2014 to 2016, Olsen equaled or topped what Carolina tight ends have collectively produced within the 5 years since he left. He had 376 targets, 241 receptions, 3,185 yards, 16 touchdowns and 161 receiving first downs.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs' tight ends have led the league the previous 5 years in these classes in all however touchdowns (55, which ranks second). They've 519 extra targets (902) than the Panthers, 408 extra receptions (649), 4,907 extra receiving yards (7,236) and 292 extra receiving first downs (396) throughout that span.
Carolina is also nicely beneath the league common throughout that span in targets (581), receptions (405), receiving yards (4,222), receiving touchdowns (30) and receiving first downs (216).
Want extra? Sanders and Tremble mixed for 56 catches final season, a complete which 13 particular person tight ends topped in 2024 and half of what rookie Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders had.
So there's numerous room for enchancment.
Tremble's scenario would not assist, however tight ends coach Pat McPherson likes the potential. Right here is one motive why: In one of many closing practices earlier than Carolina started its closing break earlier than camp, Sanders caught a landing cross from Bryce Younger.
The play itself was a spotlight on a day the offense excelled, however that is not what caught McPherson's eye.
“Each man within the tight finish group was leaping up and down and excited for him,” McPherson mentioned. “It is good when the blokes come collectively like that.”
Coach Dave Canales additionally likes what he has seen. He is not frightened that no one has stepped as much as be dominant like Olsen was. He balks on the point out his group is simply an adjunct.
“These guys make us go,” Canales mentioned. “The flexibility. We ask them to do the soiled work, to dam within the run sport, cross safety at instances, they usually present up. Perhaps we ship them out on a route.
“In case you're speaking about targets, that simply type of occurs organically. The extra comfy Bryce will get with JT, with Mitch, once we get Tommy again, it is that chemistry that is going to create these alternatives for them.”
Regardless of his surgical procedure, Tremble is on the coronary heart of that chemistry. He attended TEU despite the fact that he could not take part in on-field drills, and he attended a lot of the Panthers' offseason conferences and movie classes.
“He is an enormous a part of it,” McPherson mentioned. “He'll be again once we get into the season.”
Sanders has taken over because the on-field chief. It started with new consuming habits that stripped 10 kilos from his body, making him look extra like a large receiver and nearly as quick as one. He spent every week in California coaching with Younger.
He did all of it with out being informed to.
“It makes me really feel assured about him going into the summer time, having a plan for his prep and on the lookout for an enormous 12 months out of him,” Canales mentioned.
Stated McPherson: “He went away and mentioned, ‘Let's crank up my focus. I do know I've acquired to be a pacesetter on this group.' He is accomplished it with out me having to say, ‘You are the man.' It is an actual credit score to him.”
McPherson sees that unselfishness all through his group, another excuse for his optimism.
Sanders sees it, too.
“Tremble, he undoubtedly excels the room,” he mentioned. “However in our room, I do not suppose there may be any drop-off. I feel it may be a dominant room as a result of there is not any drop-off.”
If the tight ends can fill that dominant function the way in which Olsen did for a lot of his 9 seasons with Carolina, then maybe Sanders' prediction of nightmare matchups can come to fruition.
“They're the lifetime of what we're making an attempt to do,” Canales mentioned. “They tie the entire thing collectively.”
