Tommy

Tremble

Person said the Panthers, who hold the 19th pick in the 2026 draft, could target two Oregon players: Sadiq, who had 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in his final collegiate season, and safety Dillon Thieneman, one of the most sought-after secondary options in this year’s draft. The team would likely have to trade up to make sure they have a shot at Sadiq, who would join Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders in the Carolina tight end room if he lands with the Panthers. The Panthers in 2025 targeted the tight end position at a 21 percent clip, the seventh lowest mark in the NFL. “Could that change with Brad Idzik taking over the play calling and the addition of offensive specialist Darrell Bevell, who was in Seattle with Canales when the Seahawks traded for All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham?” Person said. “Possibly.” Sadiq, who ranks 11th in yards per route run among tight ends in the 2026 draft class, would probably be a rotational player in Carolina.

The Panthers failed to establish a full-time TE1 for most of this year, with Tremble only going over 75.4 percent of the snaps in the final two games of the regular season. He played 54-of-67 snaps versus the Rams. Tremble caught more than one ball in six of his 18 games played this season. He’s low-end TE2 fodder at best entering the final year of his contract.

Tremble caught a touchdown pass early from Bryce Young to get the Panthers within a score at 10-7. The former Notre Dame tight end finished with just two touchdowns in 2025, and remains much more effective as a blocker than as a receiver. The Panthers didn’t really showcase any of their tight ends this year, making it hard to trust any of them in fantasy leagues. Ostensibly they’d like Ja’Tavion Sanders to be their main receiving tight end, but he just can’t stay healthy. Tremble could get a playoff game next week if the Falcons beat the Saints.

Tremble logged 12 routes on the day while Ja’Tavion Sanders ran 14 routes and did not catch either of his targets. Neither Tremble nor Sanders are fantasy relevant unless one of the tight ends misses time. Tremble had been a viable streaming option while Sanders was sidelined with an ankle injury.

He added one Liu Kang flying kick against a Cowboys defender in the open field, though nothing was called. Tremble appears and disappears from the Panthers passing game depending on the matchups, and when Ja’Tavion Sanders comes back he’ll likely lose most of his pure passing-game snaps. He can be left on waiver wires heading into Week 7.

Tremble entered the game with only six targets all year but was needed for more with Ja’Tavion Sanders sidelined and provided some volume. His score was a seven-yarder to cap the Panthers’ opening drive. The Panthers would then give up 42 unanswered points before Tremble took a massive hit to bring them to the one-yard line with 2:20 remaining. He was shaken up but said afterward he was fine. The Panthers are so low on quality targets that Tremble could stick in the top 24 for however long Sanders is sidelined, but it is difficult to recommend anyone in this awful overall offense.

Sanders’ usage came back down to earth after a nine-target Week 2 put him on fantasy radars. The 22-year-old didn’t get his first target until the second half, when he caught a Bryce Young pass and hurdled a defender for a seven-yard gain. The Panthers offense is a difficult one to project for consistent fantasy points, but he will have better days in a more pass-heavy game script. Fellow tight end Tommy Tremble caught both of his targets for 16 yards on the day. Sanders is a deep league streamer option at tight end for Week 4 against the Patriots.

Tremble underwent back surgery in May and opened training camp on the PUP list. He returned to practice and was activated from PUP last week. J’Tavion Sanders should slot in as the Panthers’ starting tight end heading into his second season, but Tremble will pitch in for blocking reps and some work in 12-personnel looks. Tremble’s return to the lineup will keep Sanders off the tight end streaming radar for now.

The Associated Press’ Steve Reed adds that it “sort of sounds like he will be the primary pass receiver at that position,” but he notes nothing is “etched in stone.” Sanders has decent odds of etching it in stone if his improved play translates to early-season success. Tommy Tremble, Sanders’ primary competition at the position, “hopes” he will be ready for Week 1 but has not yet returned to practice after undergoing back surgery in May. Sanders is a worthwhile dart throw, who can be paired with a reliable, if unexciting, veteran option in drafts.

It’s probably a step too far to be “concerned” about this, but it does make it seem like Tremble won’t be a real threat to be activated until late in training camp. Ja’Tavion Sanders will be the beneficiary of extra work with the starters and seems to be in a good spot to grab a strong role in his second season.