CHARLOTTE — The Panthers added some depth and competition on offense in the fifth round.
With the 163rd overall pick, the Panthers drafted Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans.
The 6-foot-5, 258-pound Evans had 43 catches for 421 yards and three touchdowns last season. In the national championship game, he had four receptions for 52 yards.
He's a solid complement to Ja'Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble, after Ian Thomas left in free agency. Evans just missed playing at Notre Dame with Tremble by one year.
View photos of tight end Mitchell Evans during his years at Notre Dame, drafted by Carolina in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Notre Dame's Mitchell Evans (88) celebrates a first down during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) runs for a touchdown against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock (7) pursues Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) during the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) dives into the end zone as Virginia safety Jonas Sanker (20) pushes him during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) collides with Pittsburgh defensive back Marquis Williams (14) as he leaps in the air during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) blocks Louisville defensive lineman Tramel Logan (19) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) tries to get past Florida State defensive back Quindarrius Jones (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) makes a catch that was called back as Florida State linebacker Blake Nichelson (20) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) runs against Georgia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) in action during an NCAA football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 28-23. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
