The Carolina Panthers have been connected to a dynamic weapon who has drawn comparisons to a Hall of Famer.
The Carolina Panthers could definitely stand to add more weapons for quarterback Bryce Young this offseason, and while bringing in another wide receiver would be ideal, the Panthers might also look to add a tight end.
None of the tight ends Carolina has drafted in recent years have worked out for the club. Tommy Tremble and Ja'Tavion Sanders have been disappointments, and Mitchell Evans barely saw any action during his rookie campaign.
As a result, some feel that the Panthers could look to nab another tight end in the coming months, and Travis May of A to Z Sports feels Carolina could look to do it as soon as the first round of the NFL Draft.
In his recent seven-round mock draft, May projected the Panthers to select Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq — who has drawn comparisons to Chargers legend and Hall-of-Famer Antonio Gates — with the 19th overall pick.
"Kenyon Sadiq is a dynamic do-it-all tight end. He began his career as more of a pure receiver, but improved his blocking down the stretch," May wrote. "Sadiq was good enough to operate as Oregon’s de facto WR1 for much of this past season, and he’s good enough to do that for the Panthers too. Pairing a tight end that can win from anywhere with Tetairoa McMillan would make for a wildly explosive offense."
Kenyon Sadiq. Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images.Sadiq hauled in 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025 and flashed tremendous athleticism throughout the campaign.
The 20-year-old spent three seasons with the Ducks and began earning significant playing time in 2024, when he caught 24 passes for 308 yards and a couple of scores.
Sadiq stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 245 pounds, so while he has enough size to play the tight end position on the professional level, one could almost view him as a big wide receiver capable of slotting out wide.
The question is, would the Panthers really use their top draft choice on a tight end with so many other pressing needs, particularly on the defensive side of the ball?
We know that Carolina must add another edge rusher to bolster a pass rush that logged just 30 sacks in 2025, and the Panthers also need help along their offensive line.
Sadiq would be more of a best-player-available type of pick, but with Carolina having just won the NFC South, perhaps the Panthers feel they are ready to start making luxury picks this April.
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