Each week this offseason, we’ll be focusing on one position and how the Panthers may choose to address their needs; whether they’re in the market for an upgrade at starter or just a reliable backup, every player on the 53-man roster is going to be important in 2018.
This is Tight End Week.
If there was a theme to the 2017 season, it was that injuries at key offensive positions cost the Panthers dearly when it came to production; an issue with top-heaviness came to light when Greg Olsen, Curtis Samuel and Damiere Byrd each missed half the season with various injuries. With Olsen only notching 191 yards over seven games after three consecutive 1,000-yard, 16-game seasons, veteran backup Ed Dickson stepped into the Olsen role and submitted a five-catch, 175-yard performance while Olsen missed time before fading back from the limelight with only 19 catches over the final ten weeks of the season.
What was more clear when Olsen went down was how much the Panthers missed Dickson as a blocker as he moved into the primary pass-catching tight end role; while Chris Manhertz and Alex Armah filled in admirably, they are still quite raw and the Panthers’ power rush game faced the consequences, with Jonathan Stewart averaging only 3.4 yards per carry in 2017, the lowest of his career. With both Manhertz and Dickson facing free agency this offseason, the Panthers may look to the draft to find an heir to Olsen’s throne as the tight end will be 33 when the 2018 offseason opens. But who might the Panthers look to if they decide to replace Dickson, Manhertz, or both in free agency? Here are a few options:
Trey Burton, Philadelphia – The athletic tight end who came to Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent from the University of Florida has shown flashes of the talent that made him a trendy pick to make plays in the Super Bowl, catching five passes for 71 yards and two scores in relief of Zach Ertz in a Week 14 tilt with the Rams, before he ultimately made his mark as a passer in the big game, throwing a touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles on the memorable fourth-down conversion. Burton, who was used at fullback, wide receiver and quarterback (albeit in the Wildcat) in college, is just the type of young tight end that might be a perfect fit to help the Panthers offense both now and in the future should the team decide to spend more than the minimum for a second-stringer; in games with Olsen, Dickson played as many as 59.7% of the snaps, so the #2 tight end does see the field quite a bit for the Panthers.
Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay – While the 27-year old fell by the wayside a bit as 2017 wore on with rookie O.J. Howard stepping into more of a lead role for the Buccaneers, the 6’5″ Brate is a consistent end zone threat and a competent but not dominating blocker. He is a restricted free agent, which means the Bucs will have the opportunity to match any contract offered, but with Howard developing a chemistry with Jameis Winston late in the season, the Bucs may be content to let him go no matter what the number. The question is not whether Brate would get more money elsewhere, but whether he would be willing to come to another team where he will be the #2.
Virgil Green. Photo Credit: Chris Humphreys/USA Today SPORTS
Virgil Green, Broncos – If the goal is to bring in a quality blocker, look no further than the seventh-round pick from Nevada who has spent the first six seasons of his career with the Denver Broncos, making a name for himself moving defenders around ahead of rushers in the Mile High City without becoming much of a pass-catching threat. Should the Panthers look for strictly a body to throw in front of defenders while Olsen catches passes, they could do a lot worse than Green.
Antonio Gates, Chargers – I know, I know. Signing a 38-year old, mostly-ineffective-at-blocking, lost-most-of-his-role-to-Hunter-Henry-last-season Gates would be borderline nonsensical for the Panthers, but it’s not inconceivable to think that Gates might take a lesser role and lower salary to reunite with Norv Turner, the offensive coordinator who brought him the most successful years of his career. Be honest, ever since you read it, you’re daydreaming about the possibility of a two tight-end set with Olsen and Gates, aren’t you?
Darren Fells. Photo Credit: Raj Mehta/USA Today Sports
Darren Fells, Lions – The 32-year old was used in two-tight-end sets with pass-catcher (or so they say) Eric Ebron for the Lions in 2017, and he used his 6’7″, 270-pound frame to muscle defenders with extreme prejudice while Ebron would split out wide and otherwise be the dominant tight end when it came to targets. However, when targeted, Fells showed adequate hands, specifically in the red zone when he pulled down two touchdowns against the Panthers in Week 5.
Anthony Fasano, Dolphins – Should the Panthers choose to move on from Dickson, they may turn to Fasano, who has a similar skill set: a tough, hard-nosed and skilled blocker who offers limited upside but can catch balls when thrown to him. Fasano, like Dickson, is also 31 years old.
Other Names To Consider:
- Jimmy Graham
- Benjamin Watson
- Troy Niklas
- Richard Rodgers
