Panthers No. 80: 3 things Ian Thomas must do better in 2020
By Dean Jones
Things Ian Thomas must do better for the Carolina Panthers: Dropped passes
If Ian Thomas wants to make a real go on his opportunity as the No. 1 tight end option with the Carolina Panthers going forward. Then he must improve on his pass-catching in crucial situations.
This is an element of his game that has come in for criticism since he arrived in the NFL. And this was evident once again in 2019 with ten percent of catchable balls thrown his way hitting the field.
Thomas also encountered a 6.1 percent drop pass percentage in his rookie season. And this has the scope to cause problems given the increase in targets the player is set to get in Joe Brady’s high-octane scheme.
Related Story. Carolina Panthers: Dropped passes will need to improve in 2020. light
The former fourth-round pick out of Indiana is heading into his third year in the NFL. And this is where rookie players at the position do tend to break out. There is nothing to suggest that Thomas cannot do the same. But he will need to make sure he becomes a reliable target across the middle and in the red zone.
Greg Olsen did this with aplomb during his time with the Panthers. And although it might be asking too much of Thomas to replicate this sort of production initially. He will be expected to make a similar contribution with more starting experience under his belt.