4 NFC North free agents for the Panthers to consider in 2021
By Dean Jones
Demetrius Harris – TE
- 2020 team – Chicago Bears
The Carolina Panthers need a complete overhaul within their tight end room this offseason. Chris Manhertz is a free-agent and unlikely to be brought back despite his blocking ability, with Ian Thomas simply failing to prove he was Greg Olsen’s long-term replacement in 2020.
Just how the Panthers address this need remains to be seen. There is the option of looking at an athletic tight end via the NFL Draft or even spending a chunk of their financial resources on a top-tier veteran such as Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith to consider.
However, they’ll need a cheap option whichever route they go down, which makes Demetrius Harris an eye-catching possibility.
The tight end has been used on a limited basis during his career and was targeted just 14 times by the Chicago Bears in 2020. However, Harris is a huge body who can make things happen when given the opportunity, and considering the firepower elsewhere on Carolina’s offense, there will be plenty of space to work in for any new addition.
Considering the landscape of the NFL currently, someone like Harris is probably just looking for an opportunity rather than a big payday that his production doesn’t warrant. This is a low-risk, high-reward option for Carolina and one they should strongly consider.