Who Should I Start? Ian Thomas or Tanner Hudson

Tuesday, June 25, 4:34 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas has been far from a mega-producer since entering the NFL as a fourth-round pick in 2018, but it can take many years for players to break out at the position, and he's reportedly flashed this offseason. "Much was made about the upgrade at tight end when the Panthers selected Texas' Ja'Tavion Sanders in the fourth round, but it has been 2018 fourth-rounder [Ian] Thomas who has stolen the spotlight at a position that is featured in Dave Canales' passing game," Panthers reporter David Newton wrote. Thomas caught just five passes last season and hasn't matched his 333-yard rookie campaign over the last five seasons, but if Bryce Young takes a step forward, he could have at least some value in deep tight-end premium leagues. Sanders is a fun rookie prospect, but he's far from a sure thing, and it's rare for rookie tight ends to flourish.

Friday, March 15, 12:20 PM

Free-agent tight end Tanner Hudson is re-signing with the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday on an undisclosed one-year deal, according to a source. In his first year in Cincinnati last season, Hudson caught a career-high 39 passes for 352 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets in 12 games played (one start). His previous career-high in receptions came the previous season with the New York Giants, when he had just 10 catches. The 29-year-old ended up being the team's top pass-catching tight end a season ago due to the struggles of Irv Smith Jr., who has since moved on to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals signed Mike Gesicki in free agency and also brought back Drew Sample, so it will be an uphill battle for Hudson to lead the Bengals in receiving for a second year in a row at the position in 2024.