Ja'tavion Sanders

Career StatsD-

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		29	62	532	2
2025		13	29	190	1
2024		16	33	342	1

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Panthers locked up a solid developmental piece at an incredibly team-friendly price, making Sanders' four-year, $4.9M extension ($1.2M AAV) a legitimate steal that earns a B CVI. While Sanders currently projects as a depth piece in terms of production, his rookie contract figures represent exceptional value for a tight end with clear upside in an increasingly expensive position market. At just 22 years old, the former Texas standout has the athletic profile and receiving skills to develop into a more significant contributor, giving Carolina substantial room for growth without major financial risk. The contract structure is particularly savvy — minimal guaranteed money ($0.9M) provides the Panthers with flexibility while the low annual average creates massive surplus value if Sanders takes the expected developmental leap. This deal exemplifies smart roster building, securing a young talent with franchise potential at a fraction of what proven tight ends command, giving Carolina both depth insurance and a potential long-term solution at one of the league's most expensive skill positions.

Performance Analysis

Ja'Tavion Sanders grades at a D- as a young Panthers tight end who has shown some receiving ability without fully breaking out. His 62 receptions for 532 yards and two touchdowns across 29 games over two seasons is a solid foundation for a developing tight end, though the eight-yard average per catch suggests he has been used primarily in short areas of the field. Carolina clearly sees Sanders as a building block in their offense, giving him 13 games in 2025 after 16 in his rookie year. The limited touchdown production is the biggest area for improvement — with 62 catches, you would expect more than two scores for a tight end in the red zone. Sanders has the catch volume to suggest a breakout is possible, but he needs to become more of a scoring threat to climb out of D-minus territory.