This offseason, a lot of the focus for the Carolina Panthers is going to be on the quarterback position. They are looking to upgrade and move on from Teddy Bridgewater after one season with the team. Another need is at tight end and free agent Hunter Henry could be a potential fit.
Deshaun Watson is who the Panthers would love to replace Bridgewater with, but if the Houston Texans don’t want to part ways with him, they will have to look elsewhere. They could build a compelling package to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft and select the prospect they believe could be the future of their franchise.
Regardless of who is under center for Carolina next season, the organization needs to upgrade some positions on the offense. After using every draft pick on the defensive side of the ball last year, it is time to show the offense some love. The tight end spot should be atop that list.
Last season, the Panthers received the least production from the tight end spot in the league. 204 yards were totaled from the position all season to put into perspective how much help they need.
If they stand pat in the draft, their draft pick is in prime position for Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. If they go in a different direction and look toward free agency for an upgrade at tight end, Hunter Henry represents a perfect fit.
Henry was not franchise tagged by the Chargers, so he will hit the open market. While injuries have been an issue in recent seasons, Henry has shown enough that he could be one of the best tight ends when he can stay on the field.
The former Arkansas Razorback registered grades of 80-plus in his first two seasons in the league before injuries hit. In the previous two seasons, he has registered a grade above 69, which is still respectable.
Henry would give the Panthers a weapon to deploy over the middle of the field. He would help take some of the offensive load off of the shoulders of running back Christian McCaffrey, who has essentially been the only weapon short over the middle for the Panthers the last two seasons.
Bringing in an established tight end would help add another dimension to a Panthers offense that has two solid wide receivers in Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore already in place. Quarterbacks have been successful when targeting Henry in the past, and whoever is throwing passes for Carolina in September would benefit the same.
