Panthers Named Best Free Agency Fit For Pro Bowl Tight End
The Carolina Panthers have some momentum after winning the NFC South and making the postseason in 2025.
The hope is that the Dave Canales-Bryce Young head coach-quarterback pairing can lead to more success in Carolina.
With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, there are still some veteran free agents available.
Matt Okada of NFL.com named some best fits for the remaining top free agents, and he linked the Panthers to long-time Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku.
The Browns selected Njoku at No. 17 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft and he made the Pro Bowl in 2023 after recording a career-high 83 catches for 882 yards.
"The only pass catchers GM Dan Morgan has added this entire offseason were WR Chris Brazzell II in Round 3 and UDFA wideout Kobe Prentice. Young could still use an athletic option at tight end to work the seams and threaten defenses in the red zone. Enter Njoku," Okada wrote.
Njoku has been one of the best tight ends in the NFL lately, and only four tight ends have more yards and touchdowns than Njoku over the last five years.
David Njoku is Coming Off a Down Year, But Not to Worry
In a vacuum, Njoku's numbers were not great in 2025.
He had just 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns, which marked the third-lowest yards total of his career.
However, there were some reasons for that, as Okada writes, and some were due to injury and roster logjams.
"His numbers dipped in 2025, between knee issues and the ascent of Harold Fannin Jr. in Cleveland, but he's good for 600 yards and six touchdowns if healthy. Carolina's not in great cap shape, but it could almost certainly shift enough money around to sign Njoku at a nice discount."
Tommy Tremble was the leading tight end for Carolina in 2025, and he had 27 catches for 249 yards and two scores in 17 games, so Njoku would instantly be a big upgrade to the TE room.
Related: Panthers Make Contract Decision on Bryce Young
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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 6:51 AM.