The Las Vegas Raiders have signed unrestricted free agent tight end Ian Thomas, the team announced on Wednesday.
Thomas was an unrestricted free agent, defined by the NFL as "Any player with four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract; free to negotiate and sign with any team."
Per a press release from the organization, "Thomas joins the Silver and Black after spending the past seven seasons (2018-24) with the Carolina Panthers. He was originally selected by the club in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft and has played in 99 career games with 54 starts, totaling 119 receptions for 1,062 yards (8.9 avg.) and four touchdowns.
"In 2024, Thomas played in five games with two starts before finishing the season on the Reserve/Injured List. He set career highs in receptions (36), receiving yards (333) and receiving touchdowns (two) as a rookie in 2018. A native of Baltimore, Mary., Thomas played two seasons at Indiana (2016-17) after transferring from Nassau Community College. In 2017, he earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention after recording five touchdowns and averaging 15.0 yards per reception, ranking 12th and fifth among tight ends in the nation, respectively."
The Baltimore, Maryland native and former Hoosier played two seasons at Indiana (2016-17) after transferring from Nassau Community College in New York.
In 2017, Thomas earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention after catches 25 passes for 376 yards and recording five touchdowns while averaging 15.0 yards per reception.
Raiders ink TE Ian Thomashttps://t.co/KWNypMsN4o pic.twitter.com/9LQfR39rDS
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 25, 2025
Thomas was then drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 2018 NFL Draft, he was selected in the 4th round, pick 101 overall.
Thomas was a productive player during his time with Carolina and started a total of 54 games in seven seasons but injuries have derailed his career the past two seasons only playing in 11 games in two years.
He played in 99 games for the Panthers and caught 119 passes for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns.
Thomas will compete with Justin Shorter for playing time behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, in what may be the best tight end room in the NFL.