5 free-agent tight ends the Panthers could sign in 2021

Jacob Hollister

• 2020 team – Seattle Seahawks

This option seems like a no-brainer due to Jacob Hollister’s connection with current Carolina Panthers’ general manager Scott Fitterer. Since becoming a Seahawk, the tight has played well when the recent appointment held a position in Carolina’s front office and he spent the first two seasons of his career with the New England Patriots.

Hollister finished last season with 25 catches for 209 receiving yards and three touchdowns. This was almost 150 fewer receiving yards than he had in 2019, but he also caught 16 fewer passes.

The veteran has caught 74 passes for 652 yards and six touchdowns during his four-year career. Hollister also managed to play in all 16 games and start in five of them during the 2020 season. This was the most that he had seen in his entire career so far. With this starting experience, he would be a great addition to the first-string offense.

During the 2020 season, Hollister also managed to average 8.4 yards per catch. This was a higher average than Ian Thomas, but slightly under Chris Manhertz’s average with19 more catch attempts.

Hollister proved last season that he could be a threat on third and longs. He averaged nine yards per catch when thrown to in this particular situation and the Panthers need a tight end that can help convert third downs, as they were the ninth-worst third-down team in the league.

No matter who the quarterback is next season, they will need a tight end they can trust to get open if their other receivers are covered.