CHARLOTTE –The Panthers opened the final day of the 2018 NFL Draft by selecting Indiana tight end Ian Thomas.
Carolina selected the 6-foot-4, 259-pounder with the first pick of the fourth round (No. 101 overall), acquired as a part of a trade with the Packers during Friday’s third round. The Panthers will next make two picks in the fifth round – at 147 (also acquired from the Packers) and 161.
Thomas is a raw athletic talent who could compete with Chris Manhertz for the backup role behind Greg Olsen next season and could develop into more of a factor in the coming seasons.