The Carolina Panthers could steal a breakout star from one of their NFC South rivals this offseason.
The Carolina Panthers have been one of the NFL's biggest surprises this season, as they are 7-6 and currently in sole possession of first place in the NFC South before taking on the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.
But in spite of the jump the Panthers have made in 2025, it's still very clear that they are in need of help on both sides of the ball, and Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox feels they need to add some more weapons for quarterback Bryce Young.
More specifically, Knox has cited Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts as a potential target for Carolina in free agency.
"To that end, Carolina must continue improving Young's supporting cast," Knox wrote. "Re-signing breakout running back Rico Dowdle would be a great start. GM Dan Morgan should use some of the Panthers' $40.1 million in projected cap space to chase the likes of center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Kyle Pitts on the open market."
Pitts has broken out this season, having hauled in 73 receptions for 797 yards and four touchdowns. During the Falcons' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, he logged 11 catches for 166 yards and three scores.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.The former No. 4 overall pick got off to a great start in 2021, catching 68 passes for 1,026 yards and a score en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
However, the next three seasons, Pitts' production stagnated, so much so that he was viewed as a trade candidate last offseason.
But now, the University of Florida product has re-emerged as one of the league's best tight ends and stands to get paid handsomely on the open market this coming March.
The Panthers stand to have a decent chunk of cap room to use in free agency, so they may look to bring Pitts in to help supplement Young.
Carolina has an incredibly talented young tight end of its own in Ja'Tavion Sanders, but he has been unable to find his footing two years in to his NFL career.
Perhaps the Panthers will pursue a more proven option in the spring, and Pitts could comprise quite the coup for them.
Carolina added Tetairoa McMillan to its receiving corps in the NFL Draft last April, but there is no question that Young could use another target.