NFL Draft Daily Dish: Ja'Tavion Sanders a bright spot for Panthers plus five Week 8 predictions

One of the few bright spots for the Carolina Panthers this season has been the play of rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who has delivered back-to-back impressive weeks. In addition to the Panthers having a promising rookie to watch, Week 8 of the NFL season brings several key storylines for NFL Draft fans, including notable weaknesses in both the Cowboys' and Bengals' lineups, along with potential turning points for the Bears, Browns, and Cardinals.

A bright star for Carolina

Carolina Panther fans' hopes for the season have fallen short, to say the least. The team is off to a disappointing 1-6 start, with four consecutive losses, and it appears they've set aside expectations for 2023’s first overall pick, Bryce Young, who has now been benched. However, one recent bright spot has been the promising play of rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders.

Sanders has shown remarkable improvement in the past two weeks, coming off the best game of his young career. Against Washington, he caught all six targets for a career-high 61 yards, just one week after setting a previous high of 49 receiving yards against Atlanta. So far this season, Sanders has caught 79% of his targets, ranking second among 2024 rookie tight ends in receiving yards, just behind Brock Bowers.

One of the most impressive aspects of Sanders' game is his athleticism, enabling him to make tough catches despite inconsistent quarterback play. Veteran Andy Dalton, who currently has the lowest QBR in the league, started in place of Bryce Young until Dalton’s injury brought Young back onto the field. Sanders' versatility has also been a significant asset, allowing him to line up in various positions; he’s played 47% of his snaps from the slot and 42% as an in-line tight end.

Sanders’ speed is another major asset, even though the Panthers rarely use him to stretch the field. Still, he’s demonstrated his quickness by accumulating 99 of his 151 receiving yards after the catch. His ability to create big plays was evident during his college career at Texas, where he led all FBS tight ends last season with 22 catches for at least 15 yards.

A concern, however, has been his tendency to drop passes. He’s dropped three of his 19 receptions this season, amounting to a 14% drop rate. Still, this shouldn’t be overly alarming given his reliable hands in college, where he didn’t drop a single pass on 67 targets last year and posted just a 3.9% drop rate over three seasons.

Looking ahead, expect Sanders to see more involvement in the Panthers' passing game as the team shifts its focus toward the future. His production could see a significant boost next season, particularly if the Panthers bring in a veteran quarterback or draft one with their first-round pick.

Five predictions for Week 8

1. Caleb Williams leads Bears to upset over Jayden Daniels and the Commanders

In a highly anticipated matchup between the top two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft, assuming Jayden Daniels recovers from his rib injury, look for Caleb Williams and the Bears to edge out the Commanders. Chicago’s underrated defense should keep Daniels in check, while Williams’ ability to make clutch plays in the passing game will likely give the Bears a narrow victory.

2. Cincinnati’s struggling run game highlights need for 2025 NFL Draft investment at running back

The Cincinnati Bengals are underperforming this season, largely due to their lackluster ground game. Averaging just 4.2 yards per carry and ranking 27th in run-play frequency, the Bengals’ inefficient rushing attack is placing too much pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow and the defense. This unbalanced offense will likely contribute to a loss against the Eagles today, underscoring the Bengals’ need to prioritize the running back position in the 2025 NFL Draft.

3. Cleveland Browns signal need for a first-round quarterback in 2025 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns appear in need of a quarterback overhaul. Deshaun Watson has not lived up to his Houston performances, and the team’s trust in him seems to have faded. With Watson out for the season, Cleveland will assess Jameis Winston as a short-term solution. However, facing the Ravens should expose why he’s not a viable long-term option, further proving the need for a quarterback selection in the upcoming draft.

4. Marvin Harrison Jr. primed for standout game against Dolphins

In a bold prediction, Marvin Harrison Jr. could have one of his best games this season against the Dolphins, despite Miami’s formidable pass defense, which leads the league in fewest passing yards and touchdowns allowed. Expect the Cardinals to prioritize getting Harrison more involved, potentially resulting in some game-changing receptions.

5. Cowboys expose run defense deficiencies, reinforcing need for draft focus

As suggested in NFL Mocks’ latest mock, the Cowboys need to bolster their run defense in the 2025 NFL Draft, and their game against the 49ers will highlight this necessity. San Francisco’s powerful ground game, averaging nearly 5 yards per carry, is likely to expose Dallas’s run-stopping vulnerabilities and lead to a difficult loss.