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Panthers: Ian Thomas continues to impress in camp

By Danny Jaillet

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions tackles Ian Thomas #80 of the Indiana Hoosiers inside the five yard line to prevent a touchdown during the first half on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions tackles Ian Thomas #80 of the Indiana Hoosiers inside the five yard line to prevent a touchdown during the first half on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers may have a hidden gem at tight end..

As Carolina Panthers training camp continues to roar on (no pun intended) the rookie class continues to turn heads. One rookie that has taken advantage of his opportunity to make an impact is tight end Ian Thomas. He has really managed to stand out over the course of camp and both local and national media are beginning to take notice.

Jeremy Igo did a report for WCNC assessing all the rookies and while names like D.J. Moore and Donte Jackson popped up throughout the course of the report, Thomas received a tremendous review on the part of Igo.

"Tight End Ian Thomas is a guy I am particularly excited about. For my money, he has been the most standout rookie after DJ Moore. Thomas has shown all the physical ability in the world to be a starting TE in the NFL. He has also quickly developed a nice chemistry with Cam Newton, catching more than his fair share of balls from the first string quarterback. I am not ready to peg him as the second string tight end just yet, but if Chris Manhertz doesn’t get on the field soon he may find himself replaced."

The fact that Thomas is already breathing down Manhertz’s neck so to speak is very impressive. Obviously the later cannot do much about his injury, but that is the cutthroat business of the National Football League. It is nice to hear that Thomas has created chemistry with Newton. Thomas has the potential to be the tight end of the future, and building that familiarity early can only help.

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I would not be shocked if he saw the field a bit next season, especially if Manhertz’s injury takes longer than expected to heal. Hopefully that is not the case and he is able to return to the field soon.

I wrote back in June that he could, at the very least, be a nice red zone threat. Now, it appears he has the potential to be more than that. That is exactly what the Carolina Panthers should want to hear moving forward, especially with mainstay Greg Olsen getting older. At 6-foot-5, 248 pounds, Thomas has the size to be able to make an impact in the league for a long time.

Next. Gaulden making noise in camp. dark

Thomas could very easily be another rookie gem in the Carolina Panthers 2018 class. He could be yet another piece leading the Panthers into a new era of football

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