4 sneaky threats for the Panthers to watch at Packers
By Dean Jones
Robert Tonyan – TE
Most of the attention in the Packers’ passing game rightfully goes to All-Pro candidate Davante Adams, who has been in phenomenal form this season. However, if the Carolina Panthers want to stand any chance of pulling off one of the upsets of the season, then Robert Tonyan is a player they need to monitor at all times.
The tight end has come from relative obscurity to become a vital cog in the Green Bay machine. His reliability catching across the middle is something that has further aided the return to form of quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2020.
What Teddy Bridgewater would do for a tight end in the passing game.
Tonyan’s catch success rate is 88.5 percent, which is absolutely extraordinary from 52 targets. This has resulted in the former Indiana State standout achieving 533 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season – further proof of just what a threat he is in red-zone situations.
Just how the Panthers will counteract Tonyan’s threat remains to be seen. Corn Elder has done well covering from the slot this season and the encouraging play of Jeremy Chinn in recent weeks is another avenue defensive coordinator Phil Snow could go down.
Chinn has been an absolute phenom for Carolina and is a leading candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. This will be another stern challenge if the Panthers choose to allocate Tonyan to the outside linebacker, but it is one he is sure to relish.