Panthers rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders: ‘I’m just aiming to be the next Greg Olsen.
To begin Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders in the fourth round to combine with franchise quarterback Bryce Young in the coming years.
With rookie minicamps starting this week, Sanders hopes to follow in the footsteps of a well-known tight end in Carolina.
“I’m just trying to be the next Greg Olsen,” Sanders explained on the team’s website. “I’m trying to be the new face of the offense for sure.”
Olsen was selected in the first round by the Bears in the 2007 draft. After four seasons in Chicago, Olsen was transferred to the Panthers after the 2010 season and became a solid pass catcher for Cam Newton, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2014 to 2016. Olsen spent nine seasons with the Panthers, with 524 receptions for 6,463 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Sanders, who was taken 101st overall, is determined to be the same kind of dependable target for Young to rely on as the 2023 No. 1 overall pick enters his second season.
First-year Panthers head coach Dave Canales believes Sanders, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 245 pounds, could be a versatile pass catcher for Carolina.
“He’s a guy, you can move him around more, maybe play him in the slot a little bit,” Canales said of Sanders.
Sanders’ rookie season at Texas was somewhat quiet. Sanders had greater involvement as a sophomore, catching 54 catches for 613 yards and five scores in 13 games. The following season, he emerged as a major danger for the Longhorns, starting all 14 games and totaling 45 receptions for 682 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his junior season with All-Big 12 first-team honors and has the most career receptions among Longhorn tight ends, with 99.
Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Stephen Sullivan, Jordan Matthews, and Sanders are presently the Carolina Panthers’ tight ends.
Sanders will have the opportunity to impress Canales and the rest of the team during planned team activities later this month, as well as the mandatory minicamp in June.
