Carolina Panthers No. 86: Do or die for Colin Thompson’s NFL dream

Could tight end Colin Thompson make the most out of what could be his final opportunity to make an NFL roster with the Carolina Panthers in 2020?

We are now just 86 days away from the Carolina Panthers returning to the field in a competitive setting. This will be extremely welcome after a turbulent offseason filled with significant changes and a severe lack of time together in the current climate.

The upcoming season will be a fascinating one for the Carolina Panthers and new head coach Matt Rhule. They have laid the foundations of a rebuild and we should know a lot more about just how long it is going to take to become a contender this time next year.

Continuing our countdown of jersey number before the campaign gets underway, we now turn our attention to Carolina’s No. 86. This will be worn by tight end Colin Thompson after he reunited with his college coach this offseason on a one-year, $610,000 deal.

While Thompson is severely lacking in NFL experience. The lack of depth at the position gives him a good chance of making the 53-man roster if he performs well.

This need for a productive backup behind No. 1 option Ian Thomas was heightened by Seth Devalve’s recent release due to a non-football injury. Chris Manhertz is an experienced campaigner who will provide assistance. But Thompson can go into a limited training camp with a real opportunity.

Thompson has yet to make an NFL roster despite near misses with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One would suspect this is the last chance saloon for the player. And if anyone knows the sort of things he can bring to the team, it will be Rhule.

The 6-foot-4 player has worked with Rhule at Temple and his most recent experience saw him turn out for the Tampa Bay Vipers in the XFL. There is little doubt Thompson faces a strong challenge to make the roster. But he won’t get a better opportunity than this.

Could Colin Thompson become an asset to the Carolina Panthers?

Matt Rhule has surrounded himself with familiar faces as he looks to make his transition to the Carolina Panthers as smooth as humanly possible. Some will be expected to make a bigger impact than others. And Colin Thompson projects to be a fringe player who has a slim chance of making the team.

One element of his game that would be of use to the Panthers is Thompson’s blocking. He has good awareness in either passing or running situations. And he also possesses a solid frame that makes him difficult to move off the block.

The player’s pass-catching was efficient, if not spectacular, in college. Thompson recorded 19 receptions, 209 receiving yards, and one touchdown over a three-year period. This doesn’t exactly jump out. But the familiarity he will have with his head coach’s way of thinking could give him an unlikely edge in the coming weeks.

This could be do-or-die for Thompson in pursuit of making his NFL dreams come true. If he cannot make it with the Panthers’ this season. Then it could be the end of the road for a player that lacks game-changing ability but cannot be faulted for effort.

Thompson’s situation is something that features prominently across the league at this particular time of year. Some make the most out of their opportunity to shine. Whereas others wilt under the pressure and fall into the abyss.

There could well be a place on the roster for Thompson if he is good enough. But it will be up to the player himself to deliver.