All Panthers

What Dave Canales said about Mitchell Evans after Panthers rookie minicamp

The Panthers wrapped up their rookie minicamp this weekend. Carolina’s second-year head coach had some praise for one of the team’s fifth-round picks this year
Russell Baxter|
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Mitchell Evans (88) reacts after losing against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Mitchell Evans (88) reacts after losing against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In this story:

Carolina Panthers

This past season, in Dave Canales’s debut as head coach, the Carolina Panthers finished 5-12. The club won four of their final nine games, and quarterback Bryce Young showed signs of being a solid performer. That being said, the former offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw his team finish 29th in total yards in 2024, and 30th in the league in passing yards per game.

General manager Dan Morgan selected eight players in this year’s draft, four performers each on both offense and defense. Young was given three new pass-catchers in wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jimmy Horn Jr., as well a tight end prospect from the Fighting Irish. Mitchell Evans didn’t put up electrifying numbers during his four seasons at Notre Dame. However, the 6’5”, 258-pound performer had his best year in 2024. He played in 16 games, catching 43 passes for 421 yards and three touchdowns.

The Panthers just concluded their rookie minicamp, and Carolina’s second-year sideline leader had this to say about the Golden Domer. “What carries over from the film is, a really versatile guy,” said Canales (courtesy of Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire). “Whether it was the individual drills, going through blocking with Pat (McPherson), the footwork stuff. And then just being a reliable target. He's a really smooth mover in his routes, plays compact at the top. So—I think just all those things—we just felt like a really well-rounded, clean football player, and certainly fits in to what we do.”

In 2024, the Panthers didn’t get a lot from the tight end position. Four players totaled a combined 60 catches, three for scores. That could change with the addition of Evans, who may be just coming into his own.

- Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI - 

Panthers-Broncos trade proposal sends a talented DB to Carolina

ESPN names Panthers’ biggest roster hole after the 2025 NFL draft

Panthers predicted to add Bengals free agent to address pressing need

Carolina Panthers cap space update after Jadeveon Clowney release

Published
Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.