6 tight ends the Carolina Panthers could pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
Hunter Long – Boston College
If the Carolina Panthers are still looking for a tight end in the fourth round, Hunter Long from Boston College could be an option. Long can play all over the field and lined up inline, out wide, slot, and split out during his time with the Eagles.
Long played in 11 games in 2020, catching 57 balls for 685 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He was the second-most targeted tight end in college football with 89 targets, 22 more than the second-ranked player.
The prospect is a solid route-runner with good hands and above-average on-ball skills. Long has the size at 6-foot-5, 254 pounds, and works and plays hard enough to become an effective blocker.
Pat Freiermuth – Penn State
Another second-day option for the Carolina Panthers at the tight end position is Pat Freiermuth. The former Penn State standout is another that has great size at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, with all the potential to be a good to an elite blocker at the next level.
Freiermuth would help the Panthers on the offensive line in the run game in addition to being a prominent pass-catching weapon across the middle. He only played four games last season before suffering an injury. But in 2019, he totaled 43 receptions, 507 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.
The highly-touted prospect has great run-and catch potential, he trucks defenders as a runner, and is tough to tackle. Freiermuth has good hands and would be a threat in the red zone.
Freiermuth is not the best athlete and lacks elite speed. But he plays hard and has the skills to be a three-down player in the NFL.
Brevin Jordan – Miami (FL)
If the University of Miami‘s Brevin Jordan is available when the Carolina Panthers pick in the second round, they should be quick to turn in a card with his name on it. He caught 38 balls for 576 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this past season for the Hurricanes.
Jordan is a stud and will be a dynamic weapon for any team that selects him. He is another tight-end prospect that can play all over the field.
Miami used him in-line, from the slot, and out of the backfield as both a receiver and blocker. Jordan’s not as tall as other tight ends on this list at 6-foot-3, but he plays just as big and possesses good size, great speed, and hands that should excel at the next level.
Jordan will need to improve as a blocker but his route-running, ability to catch the ball in traffic, and yards-after-catch prowess would make him a solid addition to the Carolina offense.
And besides, the Panthers have never gone wrong with a Miami tight end before.