5 early mid-round draft steals the Panthers should monitor for 2022
By Dean Jones
Austin Stogner – TE (Oklahoma)
It is highly unlikely that Ian Thomas will be extended this offseason. The tight end was given a signifcant opportunity to become Greg Olsen’s long-term successor in 2020 that he hasn’t capitalized on and although he’s still getting plenty of first-term action this season, the production just isn’t where it needs to be for a true No. 1 option.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Tommy Tremble in the third-round this year. But if Thomas does depart, they’ll need another promising young option that can assisted in multiple schemes.
Austin Stogner’s numbers may have tailed off after a superb 2020 season with Oklahoma, that can be attributed to some inconsistent quarterback play from Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler.
His blocking is very underrated, although sustaining these will be a challenge in the NFL. Stogner also possesses the necessary size to bring in contested catches and create separation quickly.
The player doesn’t have any notable explosiveness to speak of. So he might emerge as a solid possession pass-catching tight end rather than someone like Kyle Pitts or Darren Waller.
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Carolina is hoping Tremble can develop into the complete package. If he cannot do this quickly enough, then having an insurance policy such as Stogner might be an option worth exploring.