Ja’Tavion Sanders is suddenly staring at a very real roster squeeze in Carolina.
The Panthers drafted the tight end in the fourth round in 2024 hoping his size and athleticism would give Bryce Young a true matchup problem. Instead, through 29 career games, Sanders has produced 62 catches on 77 targets for 532 yards and two touchdowns, and the big plays have dried up fast. Last season, he managed only 190 receiving yards, averaged 6.6 yards per catch and topped out with an 18-yard reception.
That lack of impact has put him in a precarious spot with cutdown day approaching next Sunday. Sanders is only 23 and did work through offseason injury concerns, but his hold on a roster spot looks shaky.
His role hasn’t helped his case either. In Red Zone situations, Carolina has used Sanders both on the line and in the slot, but the production hasn’t matched the opportunity.
As a rookie, he had six catches of at least 20 yards, including a 46-yarder. Last season, he had none.
The Panthers’ tight end picture is also changing around him. Carolina signed Darren Waller on Aug. 17, and the former Pro Bowler is expected to take over the TE1 job from Tommy Tremble before the regular season begins. It remains to be seen whether Waller will play in Friday’s preseason finale against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium, though he is expected to be active Wednesday for the joint practice.
Behind Tremble, Mitchell Evans has continued to build a reputation as a steady blocker, receiver and special teams contributor, while Feliepe Franks has turned in several splash plays during camp.
Sanders’ most recent action didn’t do much to shift the conversation. In Friday’s 34-17 preseason win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium, he caught one pass for six yards.
The Panthers still have a clear type in mind for the position, and Sanders was brought in by general manager Dan Morgan to create problems for opposing secondaries. But with Greg Olson still standing as the last Carolina tight end to clear 500 receiving yards, Sanders hasn’t yet made the kind of leap the team was hoping for.
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