5 offensive Panthers players on the roster bubble heading into camp

Ian Thomas – Carolina Panthers TE

We all know the Carolina Panthers do not use the tight end position enough.

When Ian Thomas was on the field, he gathered 145 yards and one touchdown in 2020 in the immediate aftermath of Greg Olsen’s departure. He will need to fight for a roster spot and make his name heard at training camp.

Fitterer signed former Arizona Cardinals tight end Dan Arnold to a two-year deal. He offers a great catching ability up the seams and had his best season last year with 438 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

With Arnold having familiarity with Joe Brady after working with the coach on the New Orleans Saints, this could lead to a lot of success between the two of them.

Fitterer also drafted former Notre Dame tight end, Tommy Tremble, who was touted as the best run-blocking tight end in college football before entering the next level.

He is a violent run-blocking tight end but needs to work on his catching ability. Tremble was drafted No. 83 overall for a reason and Thomas has his work cut out beating out these two players for meaningful reps.

The Panthers also signed former Seattle Seahawks tight end Stephen Sullivan. He has familiarity with both Scott Fitterer and Brady, who was passing game coordinator at LSU.

Thomas has a lot of pressure on him going into training camp and must rise to the occasion. He received praise from Matt Rhule for his application during the early offseason program, but what comes next will be equally as important.