Panthers Eye Tight Ends for Draft

0:00On April 9th, the 2026 NFL Draft is creeping up fast, kicking off April 23rd in Pittsburgh, and the Carolina Panthers hold picks. Like number 19 in Round 1, 51 in Round 2, and 83 in Round 3. Their tight-end group is young and locked in with Tommy Trimble, Jotavion Sanders, and Mitchell Evans, all drafted recently in reliable blockers who keep the run-game humming. Mitchell topped the unit with 27 catches for 249 yards and two scores, while Sanders grabbed 29 for 100, 90 yards and one touchdown, and Evans added 19 for 171 with two touchdowns. Still, the crew lacks that big-play pass catcher to stretch defenses as the offense evolves. Names like Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt are lighting up big boards. He had 62 receptions for 769 yards in four touchdowns, last season leading tight-ends in yards per game, Oregon's Kay and Sadeek, a second-team All-American, posted 51 catches

1:01for 5 and 60 yards, and 8 scores, owning the red zone. Then there's Max Claire, who transferred to Ohio State and still pulled 43 grabs for 448 yards despite the competition, thanks to his 6 foot 5 frame. Stanford's Sam Rausch brings blocking prowess with 49 catches for 545 yards, and NC State's Justin Jolie led the ACC with 49 receptions and seven touchdowns, barely dropping a pass. With the draft weeks away, Panther scouts are eyeing these athletes to add juice over the middle, potentially turning their tight ends into a reel. Time for years to come.