This Carolina Panthers player was viewed as a breakout candidate heading into the season, but things have not worked out.
The Carolina Panthers entered the season with a whole lot of question marks, but no one doubted the young talent on their roster.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing young weapons for the club heading into the season was tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who showed serious flashes during his rookie campaign before a neck injury threw a wrench into things in the second half.
Sanders is a freakish athlete who looked like a complete steal when the Panthers nabbed him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he appeared like he could develop into a go-to target for Bryce Young.
However, the 22-year-old has been a complete afterthought this season.
In 10 games, Sanders has logged just 25 catches for 176 yards. He hasn't reached the end zone once, and his production has actually declined since last year when he caught 33 passes for 342 yards and a touchdown. And those numbers would have been greater had it not been for the injury.
So, what exactly is going on here? Is Sanders' future with Carolina in jeopardy?
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images.It appears so, especially considering the Panthers selected fellow tight end Mitchell Evans in the draft last April, and in Carolina's most recent win over the Los Angeles Rams, Evans totaled three grabs on three targets while Sanders wasn't targeted at all.
Sanders still has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but based on his lack of usage this season, it's looking more and more like the Panthers will move on sooner rather than later.
Whether or not Sanders is a disappointment or Carolina is merely mismanaging him is the question. There is no doubt that the University of Texas product has immense talent, but he has been unable to put it together over the course of his first couple of seasons.
Having an inconsistent quarterback in Young throwing him the ball hasn't helped, but that hasn't seemed to bother rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who has been quite the force in 2025.
The Panthers have already been linked to Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts in free agency this coming offseason, so that could be a sign Carolina knows that Sanders' days are coming to a close.
With just four games remaining in the regular season and the Panthers pushing for an NFC South division title, it seems rather unlikely that Sanders will suddenly emerge as a weapon down the stretch, so this appears to be a lost year for the young pass-catcher.
We'll see if Sanders gets an opportunity to prove himself again in 2026.