Carolina Panthers sign tight end, raising important question
Carolina Panthers sign one try out player at an interesting position.
The Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp saw draft picks, undrafted free agents and a few returnees join a handful of prospects attempting to make the team. For those who didn’t have a contract entering the weekend, all were hopeful to make an impression and earn an opportunity.
Following the draft and initial free agent period, the Panthers had only a handful of roster positions where players have a legitimate opportunity. As general manager Marty Hurney works to construct a competitive roster, there are jobs to be won along both lines, at linebacker, safety and wide receiver, in addition to backup running back and quarterback – yet Carolina added another tight end.
After camp, the Panthers signed former undrafted free agent Ethan Wolf – a tight end out of Tennessee. Spending last season as a member of both the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers, Wolf was only an offseason participant and practice squad member, respectively.
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Before the signing, Carolina had six tight ends on the roster. A seventh raises the question – why? Already behind Greg Olsen, Chris Manhertz and Ian Thomas – a fourth-round pick last year who played well when forced into action – the team seemed to have plenty of talent from which to choose.
Joining Marcus Baugh and Cole Hunt, who both were also recently signed, is Jason Vander Laan. The group of seven is relatively inexperienced and it seems Carolina is searching for a legitimate option behind Olsen for the future. Injured each of the past two seasons, the Panthers know having a solid option to serve as a backup plan this year and future replacement is important.
In each of the past three years Carolina has opened the regular season with just three tight ends on the initial roster. With seemingly other areas of need, the decision of adding a long-shot tight end into an already crowded field seems a bit odd. Wolf may surprise and out play each of the other contenders, but it doesn’t seem likely.
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Either way, it appears the Panthers addition of another tight end means they are concerned about Olsen remaining healthy, plus the overall future of the position.