4 Carolina Panthers players we can now safely call draft busts
By Dean Jones
Ian Thomas – Carolina Panthers TE
It’s hard to put into words just what a disappointment Ian Thomas has been this season. The Carolina Panthers had high hopes for the tight end to step up and fill the vast void left by veteran Greg Olsen, who signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency after the organization opted to cut ties with him and other prominent leaders within the locker room.
To say Thomas hasn’t lived up to the hype would be the biggest of understatements. The former fourth-round pick has yet to reach 100 receiving yards and seems to be the odd man out on a passing attack that is loaded with playmakers everywhere you look.
Thomas’ blocking has improved considerably, which is about all the good one can say about his overall influence in 2020.
Perhaps the Panthers were spoiled having such a productive pass-catching tight end as Olsen in recent years. But everyone was expecting more from the Indiana product.
What comes next for Thomas is unclear. Carolina will obviously make bringing in better options a top priority in the offseason, so working out a trade or even the player’s release is a high probability at this juncture.
This is just so disappointing for all parties. Thomas has all the physical attributes needed to make a real go of things in the NFL, but putting it all together is another matter entirely.