5 shocking trades the Panthers should consider before 2021 season
By Dean Jones
Austin Fort – TE
This would be a shocking trade not because Austin Fort is a big name, but the fact this is a player facing an uncertain future thanks in no small part to injury.
The tight end showed some glimpses of promise before any chance he had of making an impression were dented by a significant knee problem that’s forced him onto the reserve/injured list for two straight years.
Fort is now starting from scratch with the Denver Broncos, who have some quality options at the position including Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam, There’s just no telling how long it’s going to take for the Wyoming product to build things back up on the field and as we all know, the NFL waits for no man.
This could be an opportunity for the Carolina Panthers to get a high-upside player on the cheap. They do have big hopes for free-agent signing Dan Arnold and third-round selection Tommy Tremble, with Ian Thomas also on the roster despite struggling to fill Greg Olsen’s shoes in 2020.
The Broncos have clearly kept Fort around for a reason. So they’ll want to get a real good look at him during camp and preseason games before eventually deciding what role – if any – he’ll play next season.
Carolina has taken chances on players like Fort before, which has been met with mixed success.