Tight end Ian Thomas has a real opportunity to become the Carolina Panthers’ No.1 option at the position in 2020 following the departure of Greg Olsen.
Big things are expected from Carolina Panthers’ tight end Ian Thomas in 2020. The player has a real opportunity to make the starting spot his own and must take advantage.
The Panthers were dealt a blow when prolific tight end Greg Olsen left the franchise to sign a free-agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks. This left the franchise without one of their best pass-catchers over the middle and a significant threat in the red zone.
Thomas showed glimpses of what he was capable of in 2019. But more will be needed this time around if he wants to stay with the franchise long term.
Head coach Matt Rhule is known for a high-octane offense during his time at Baylor. Which could mean Thomas is going to get plenty of opportunities to showcase his ability and make the No.1 tight end spot his own.
There is the possibility that the Panthers spend a mid-to-late round selection on the position during the 2020 NFL Draft once they have addressed their defensive needs. This would provide additional competition for Thomas going forward.
The onus will be on the former fourth-round pick out of Indiana to prove he is worthy of a new deal heading into the penultimate year of his rookie contract. If the Panthers do not strengthen the position in the coming weeks, it will represent a huge vote of confidence in the player and one that he must repay.
Thomas’ career with the Panthers so far
Ian Thomas has enjoyed some success with the Carolina Panthers during his two-year spell with the franchise. He saw a lot of the field during his rookie campaign as Greg Olsen spent considerable time on the sidelines.
This allowed the player to thrive during what could have been a baptism of fire for the mid-round prospect. Thomas showcased his quality hand-eye coordination and his ability to gain valuable yards after the catch.
He saw the field for almost 50 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and was productive when called upon. Thomas ended his rookie year with 36 receptions from 49 targets on his way to 338 yards and two touchdowns.
The return to full fitness of Olsen hampered the player’s progress in 2019. Thomas saw much less of the field and was restricted to just three starts and 29 percent of the team’s snaps.
This was obviously going to result in a regression from a statistical perspective. But Thomas was economical with the targets he received, collecting 16 receptions from 30 balls thrown his way.
Thomas ended his sophomore season with 136 yards and a touchdown. But he became more valuable in blocking situations and this was an eye-catching improvement in his overall game.
The jury might still be out as to whether Thomas is capable of filling the void left by Pro Bowler Olsen. What he does in the lead-up to competitive action is going to go a long way to determining his role going forward.
Ian Thomas’ contract situation
After being taken with the 101st overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Ian Thomas penned a four-year deal with the Carolina Panthers worth $3.2 million.
This included a $747,994 signing bonus and a further $747,994 guaranteed. Thomas is heading into the penultimate year of his rookie deal in 2020 and will earn a base salary of $750,000.
Thomas is set to make $920,000 in the final year of his deal in 2021 and count $2.78 million against the Panthers’ tight salary cap. If he can produce the level of consistency that is required of an NFL starter next season, he will do his chances of a longer-term deal the world of good.
There is not much financial commitment from the organization’s perspective currently. This will undoubtedly change if Thomas makes a big impression later on this year.
Players do not like playing through the final year of their deals. This is particularly evident with those on rookie deals. The Panthers are set to find this out in the coming weeks as All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is after a big commitment from the franchise after an exceptional time in Carolina so far.
While Thomas will not command the sort of money McCaffrey is looking for. He will be expecting a bigger deal if he thrives in Matt Rhule’s new offense.
The 2020 NFL Draft
There is the temptation for the Carolina Panthers to look for a tight end prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. Any selection at the position may have big implications on Ian Thomas’ ability to earn a starting spot.
Someone with the game-changing red zone play of LSU product Thaddeus Moss could be a perfect fit for the Panthers’ offense. With so many pressing defensive needs, it remains to be seen what level of urgency the Carolina decision-makers choose to put on the tight end spot.
Thomas will feel he has done enough to lay claim to the No.1 tight end position. He has worked hard over the last two seasons and performed well in Greg Olsen’s absence.
The spotlight will now be on him and how he handles it will be crucial to any success that comes his way. An incoming recruit might also spur Thomas on to bigger and better things as there is nothing like a bit of healthy competition to get the best out of a player’s talents.
The Panthers have just eight selections heading into the Draft. So, they are going to have to prioritize what positions of substantial need and those that the organization might be better off opting for a wait and see approach.
Tight end would probably fall into the second category, which is good news for Thomas. He has been waiting to step out of Olsen’s shadow from the moment he stepped into the league and his experience on the field as a rookie will have only whet his appetite further.
Can Ian Thomas break out in 2020?
The 2020 season is unquestionably the biggest of Ian Thomas’ career to date. This is the moment he has been waiting for and there is a real chance for the player to become a starter in the NFL.
Much will depend on how head coach Matt Rhule likes about the player. Given there will be no OTAs this year and the possibility of a shortened training camp, it will make things difficult for anyone looking to make a big impression before the competitive games get underway.
Thomas has enough decent film for the new coach to see. His rookie year was very encouraging and he will have learned a lot from playing behind such an experienced pro as Greg Olsen.
This will stand him in good stead as he aims to become a more prominent part of the Carolina Panthers’ offense next season. Free-agent signing Teddy Bridgewater will need a dependable person to throw to across the middle and Thomas looks to fit the bill.
He has all the tools you are looking for in a productive tight end. Thomas is now set to be given an extended role in an offense that will still run through Christian McCaffrey. But there are going to be considerable opportunities to make a difference on play-action and in the red zone.
The NFC South is going to be immensely tough next season and the Panthers have become something of an afterthought thanks to the high-profile arrival of Tom Brady at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If Thomas can match or exceed expectations in Carolina, they might end up surprising a few.