Who Should I Start? Ja'Tavion Sanders or Tyler Warren

Monday, July 21, 9:19 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders "lost 10 pounds during the offseason and looked faster during OTAs," according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. Carolina drafted Sanders in the fourth round out of Texas in 2024. He appeared in 16 games (eight starts) as a rookie, logging 33 catches for 342 yards and one touchdown. Sanders should have an opportunity to earn significant playing time in his second season. His main competition at tight end in Carolina is Tommy Tremble, who has recorded 23 receptions in each of the past two seasons, and Mitchell Evans, a fifth-round selection by the team in this year's draft. With a good training camp and preseason, Sanders could be an intriguing late-round dart throw at the tight end position in deeper leagues.

Tuesday, June 24, 2:27 PM

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren is expected to be a major contributor in his rookie season, according to ESPN reporter Stephen Holder. While it could be assumed the Penn State product would have a major role as the team's No. 14 overall pick, it often takes time for tight ends to develop in the NFL, despite the recent successes of first-year tight ends Brock Bowers and Sam LaPorta. "It was practically impossible to watch an Indianapolis practice and not notice how often Warren touched the football. Any doubts about him having a notable role were erased in the first week of OTAs, when he could be seen running drag routes or matching up with linebackers in the middle of the field," Holder wrote. "The Colts had a league-low 39 receptions from their tight ends last season, but expect that to improve." While Warren's quarterback situation is less than ideal with either Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson throwing him passes in 2025, he could see heavy volume in the short or intermediate areas of the field. Based on his current ADP, he's available in the 11th round of 12-team leagues, so if you believe in his upside, he is not difficult to acquire.