The 2024 NFL Draft class wasn’t a deep one at tight end, as outside of Georgia standout Brock Bowers being taken 13th overall, there wasn’t much hype surrounding anyone else in the class.
However, one rookie tight end has high hopes for himself and is looking towards one of the all-time greats as inspiration as he embarks on his journey in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders out of Texas recently said “I’m just trying to be the next Greg Olsen” via the team’s official website, adding that “I’m trying to be the new face of the offense, for sure.”
Panthers rookie TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: “I’m just trying to be the next Greg Olsen”https://t.co/cHT0YrJ75M pic.twitter.com/YbLX5ZmwZX
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 12, 2024
The Panthers haven’t had much to offer at the tight end position since Olsen left the team after the 2019 season, as they have been struggling to find a franchise tight end ever since.
Sanders arrives as a 4th-round pick with a lot of promise, and citing one of the franchise greats as inspiration is a good way to get Panthers fans on his side early.
Sanders stands 6’4″ and 243 pounds, which is just about one inch and ten pounds less than what Olsen played at.
The Panthers are hoping Sanders can be a safety valve for Bryce Young the same way Olsen was for fellow No. 1 pick Cam Newton for so many years, and Sanders’ versatility and explosiveness should add an element to this offense it didn’t have during an abysmal 2023 season.
It’s a lofty goal to set, but this franchise needs it’s next Greg Olsen.
Hopefully, it has found it in Sanders.
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