As the Carolina Panthers embark on a youthful revival, second-year tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is poised to play a crucial role in their success. Drafted 101st overall in 2024, Sanders had an impressive rookie season, accumulating more receiving yards than any Panthers tight end since the legendary Greg Olsen. Despite a setback with a neck injury against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sanders returns to offseason workouts in better shape and ready to seize the opportunity with veteran Tommy Tremble sidelined and rookie Mitchell Evans in transition.

With Sanders demonstrating significant promise, he stands to establish himself as the Panthers' long-term TE1, especially with other tight ends struggling to adapt. His return to form is not only vital for the team's offensive strategy but could also yield significant fantasy football implications, particularly in a league that increasingly values the tight end position.

In 2023, the Carolina Panthers boldly selected Bryce Young with the first overall pick, but the season turned into a disappointment with a 2-15 finish. Criticism mounted as comparisons to past draft busts arose, particularly after C.J. Stroud's immediate success with the Texans. Young's initial struggles were exacerbated by a porous offensive line that allowed 62 sacks. Midway through the season, after throwing multiple interceptions and facing trade rumors, Young showed signs of improvement. By Week 8, he returned as the starter and led the Panthers to four wins, showcasing a more confident and composed playing style against formidable teams.

As Young enters his third year, expectations are high, but the Panthers have fortified their roster with notable additions, including Hunter Renfrow and promising rookies. With improved protection and enhanced offensive options, Young is finally positioned for success. The recurring question remains: can he transform potential into performance and fulfill the franchise's lofty hopes?

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, eventually being picked by the Cleveland Browns. This drop in draft stock raised many eyebrows, especially considering the expectations surrounding his talent. Insights from Todd McShay of The Ringer revealed a negative pre-draft interview with the New York Giants' head coach Brian Daboll. Reports indicated that Sanders struggled during a private meeting, which may have cost him higher draft positioning. The Giants ultimately opted for Jaxson Dart, further underscoring their lack of confidence in Sanders.

During post-draft press conferences, Daboll refrained from addressing the interview specifics, focusing instead on the players the Giants did select. The continuous scrutiny on Sanders's transition into the NFL will be paramount as he joins a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland. With Deshaun Watson as the presumed starter, Sanders will need to prove his mettle in training camp to secure his role in the team.

Shedeur Sanders' NFL draft experience took a bizarre turn when his private phone number was leaked and used in a prank call impersonating New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. The caller humorously misled Sanders about being selected by the Saints during the draft, to which Sanders responded with confusion. Luckily, Sanders remained unphased by the incident, showing maturity and resilience. Following his selection by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, he expressed that such childish pranks do not affect him.

The prank has drawn criticism from various NFL figures, including Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who labeled the act as 'sad' and condemned the prank callers as 'morons.' Despite the unfortunate prank, Sanders was the sixth quarterback selected in the draft, illustrating his potential amidst a challenging draft process.

The San Francisco 49ers selected a quarterback in the 2025 draft but notably passed on Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback from the University of Colorado, six times. General manager John Lynch's ambiguous responses when asked about the team's interest in Sanders suggest that he was not a serious option for the 49ers. Lynch expressed empathy for Sanders, acknowledging the challenges he faced as a young player but emphasized that it’s about what one does with the opportunities presented. Sanders was ultimately drafted by the Cleveland Browns at pick 144, a landing spot that may be more favorable than a backup role behind Brock Purdy in San Francisco. If Sanders fulfills the expectations leading to his draft, he could represent a missed opportunity for the Niners.