2 realistic TE draft targets that could finally replace Greg Olsen

With the 2021 NFL Draft rapidly approaching and the free agency period largely wrapped up for the offseason, who could the Carolina Panthers pick to improve at tight end?

The tight end position for the Carolina Panthers has been written about, written about again, and then written about some more. This has taken up almost as many column inches as the quarterback situation the team has placed themselves in, and deservingly so.

While tight end has never been the top target of an offense, the big-bodied position is that of a safety valve. An always consistent target that can get you a little bit of yardage. A statement that cannot be said for the group the Panthers trotted out last season.

Even with a pair of 1,000-yard receivers on the roster, one would expect the tight end group to at least break 210 yards as a whole. This disappointment was caused in large part by top target Ian Thomas having a single-game high of only 29 receiving yards which was immediately followed up by an impressive negative one in the next game.

This stat line is especially concerning when one thinks about how often Teddy Bridgewater checked down the ball last season, a place where a tight end should thrive.

Carolina Panthers haven’t replaced Greg Olsen’s production.

Ever since the injury bug found Greg Olsen late in his career and ever since his eventual departure and retirement, the Panthers have been left wondering what to do at the position. Thomas has just never filled the leadership and production void that was left behind like the team hoped he would.

The Panthers took a big step toward filling that void with free-agent signing Dan Arnold. While he is not a superstar in the league, his receiving yards more than double what the team had at the position last year. Stats that should bring some hope the offense can be more balanced next season.

Even with the addition of Arnold, the team still needs a plan for the future and a true star at the position that is capable of creating mismatches in coverage. Carolina also needs to find a replacement for the overlooked Chris Manhertz as well.

With that being said, there are more pressing needs for the Panthers to fill at No. 8, namely the offensive line or cornerback. So while a player like Kyle Pitts has the potential to be transcendent at the position, he will be off the board by that point and it would not be a smart move for the team anyway.

But enough introduction, here are two realistic 2021 NFL Draft candidates that could be the starter the Panthers have been looking for.