53 Men: TE Ian Thomas Player Profile

Taking a look at what kind of season Panthers receiver Ian Thomas could have in 2020

Schuyler Callihan | Jul 17, 2020

TE Ian Thomas

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 260 lbs

College: Indiana

NFL stats: 52 receptions, 469 yards, 3 TD's

Depth Chart Projection: Starter

I like Ian Thomas, but I'm a little concerned with how he will do in this role. The Panthers seemingly addressed every area of the roster this offseason except for tight end - that tells me something. Matt Rhule and this new coaching staff must see something they really like in Ian Thomas or they would have added another body to the room. Chris Manhertz and Temarrick Hemingway will provide depth, but won't be much of a threat to steal Thomas' starting spot.

Analysis:

Thomas has shown some small flashes of the tight end many hope he can become, but I believe he is more of a blocking tight end than a receiving tight end. That's what his role was primarily at Indiana and has been thus far in Carolina. Now that Greg Olsen is off to Seattle, we may see the Panthers open up a whole area of Thomas' game that we have yet to see. I'm not completely out on him being the tight end of the future, but he has a lot to prove in the next year or two.

53-Man Roster Status: Lock

As I previously mentioned, Thomas is the only tight end on the Panthers' roster that has starting ability and talent. Manhertz and Hemingway aren't going to provide the offense with much other than to block or be an added body in short yardage situations. Despite not being one of the team's top players, he may be one of the safest in terms of making the roster.

Previous "53 Men" projections

1. QB Teddy Bridgewater

2. QB Will Grier

3. RB Christian McCaffrey

4. RB Mike Davis

5. RB Reggie Bonnafon

6. WR D.J. Moore

7. WR Curtis Samuel

8. WR Robby Anderson

9. WR Seth Roberts

No. 10 WR Keith Kirkwood

No. 11 WR Pharoh Cooper