Re-grading Panthers position groups on offense after the 2021 season

Carolina Panthers TEs

It’s hard to gauge just what the Carolina Panthers had at tight end in 2021 between the midseason trade of Dan Arnold to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the somewhat stop-and-go development of rookie Tommy Tremble.

However, one thing can be said for certain, it was once again a major disappointment.

Arnold was a solid, albeit not spectacular, addition and after the trade that sent him to Jacksonville, the position faded into obscurity. Neither Tremble nor veteran Ian Thomas was able to break the 200-yard mark on the season and were rarely targeted.

A far cry from what many had hoped for either player. Each tight end managing at or below 20 catches on the year.

That isn’t all that a tight end is there for. Thomas showed great strides in blocking this season and Tremble carried this prowess into the NFL ranks nicely, but in today’s game a pass-happy team needs a tight end capable of winning one-on-one matchups with linebackers and safeties and no one proved capable of that for the Panthers this season.

There is still room for development where Tremble is concerned. But the writing is on the wall for Thomas and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock if he left in free agency.

• Preseason Grade: C+
• Final Grade: C

It may not be what anyone wanted,  but it’s what we got. Blocking was great, catching was not. This position will need to be addressed going forward but it is somewhat further down the line than other more pressing issues.

Tremble has the potential to be special. We can only hope the team gives him the chance to blossom.