Who Should I Start? Tommy Tremble or Stone Smartt

Wednesday, June 4, 12:57 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) is not expected to return by training camp at the end of July after having back surgery, according to head coach Dave Canales. Barring a setback, the team is hoping to get Tremble back sometime during the preseason. The Panthers are going to bring the 25-year-old along slowly after he had a back procedure in the middle of May. With Tremble sidelined, Ja'Tavion Sanders and rookie fifth-rounder Mitchell Evans will see more reps in OTAs and mandatory minicamp this month. When healthy, Tremble profiles as more of a blocking tight end, which doesn't make him much of an option in fantasy leagues. The former third-rounder (83rd overall) in 2021 out of Notre Dame matched his career-high with 23 catches last year for a career-high 234 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts).

Thursday, March 13, 4:21 PM

The New York Jets signed former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stone Smartt to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, a source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Smartt was a restricted free agent this offseason but was not tendered by the Bolts, making him available to all teams. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent came on strong late last year for L.A. and finished with career-highs in catches (16) and receiving yards (208) on 19 targets in 15 regular-season games (two starts), although he didn't find the end zone at all. Smartt could have an opportunity to build on his 2024 season in his new home in New York in 2025, as Tyler Conklin and Kenny Yeboah are currently unrestricted free agents. The only other TE on the Jets' current roster is Jeremy Ruckert. The Jets could still add to the position in free agency and the draft, but Smartt will be one to watch heading into training camp this summer.