Carolina Panthers: Top 5 breakout candidates in 2020

1. Ian Thomas (Carolina Panthers TE)

Greg Olsen has been a big part of the Carolina Panthers offensive scheme since he was traded to the franchise in 2011. The prolific tight end is now in Seattle. And the organization appears confident they have his long-term replacement on the roster already.

Ian Thomas stepped in for Olsen in 2018 when he went down with a foot injury. He caught 36 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns over a six-game period to further highlight his potential.

Thomas showed signs of stardom in those games. He has been able to watch and learn from Olsen over the past couple of seasons and will now get his shot at being a starter.

The player is another who could thrive in Joe Brady’s offense. There are a lot of talented receivers on the Panthers roster. So the focus won’t be on Thomas and this is something he can take full advantage of.

This is his chance to establish himself in the NFL. Thomas will get a lot of opportunities in single coverage. And with his size and athleticism, he can make some big plays.

The tight end is crucial for the Panthers’ success and will be a player to watch closely as the campaign progresses. If Thomas eventually reaches his ceiling, then the sky is the limit in terms of what he can achieve.