What’s next for Panthers’ offensive line? Should Carolina sign, or draft, a left tackle?
.JPG "Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)")
We’ve entered the hopeful and optimistic part of the NFL calendar, where wishful thinking and positive projection flows from free agency to the draft, into minicamps, and eventually through training camp.
For about 25 minutes on Friday, general manager Scott Fitterer spoke to local media with confidence and conviction about the Panthers’ off-season thus far, which includes signing nine outside free agents, retaining 12 of their players — including Donte Jackson — and extending star receiver DJ Moore.
“I feel really good about where we’re at as a roster right now. I thought we filled a lot of depth on the offensive line, linebacker, along the defensive line and especially in the defensive backfield,” Fitterer said. “I think we’re a much better roster right now than we were a year ago.”
Two of those signings came up front. Fitterer addressed key needs by signing Austin Corbett and Bradley Bozeman. Corbett, 26, will play next to Taylor Moton, giving new offensive line coach James Campen a bruising one-two punch on the right side. Corbett won the Super Bowl with Los Angeles, thriving in Sean McVay’s run-friendly scheme. Carolina wants to be a more downhill, physical team. That’s Corbett’s brand. According to Pro Football Focus, Corbett graded above the 50th percentile among all guards in zone and gap rushing schemes last season.
Bozeman, 27, plays a similar style.. He started in 48 games the past three years at left guard and center for the Ravens. He’ll compete with Pat Elflein at center but his flexibility gives Carolina options. Fitterer said both bring a level of physicality that was missing at times last year.
“They’re tough guys. They play square. Last year we were quicker getting off the ball attacking type,” Fitterer said. “These guys can sit back and play square, they can build that wall up the middle. Last year you saw Sam (Darnold) and Cam (Newton) had guys in their face way too often. I think these guys can sit in there and play square. And they give us toughness and stoutness that we lack last year.”
Carolina has about $30 million in cap space, according to the NFLPA’s public salary cap database. But Fitterer reminded everyone not all that cash is for a looming free agent or two. About $19 million of it is tied to in-season moves and future draft picks, leaving around $11 million for the rest of free agency and possible extensions.
Could Carolina be done signing free agents? Sure. Could Fitterer also find a way to add one more key piece if the opportunity presents itself? Of course. The Panthers’ offensive line still is still missing a blue-chip left tackle.
“I think Duane Brown and Eric Fisher are the two names that make the most sense,” ESPN Sports Analytics writer Seth Walder told The Observer. “And I do think they should go for one of them. Carolina was 29th in pass-block win rate last year. Cam Irving was 63rd out of 68 tackles in pass-block win rate. Fisher or Brown are not elite players anymore. But acceptable or average left tackle play would be a big upgrade for them.”
Who will be the Panthers left tackle?
Pro Football Focus analyst Kevin Cole does not think the Panthers have done enough in free agency to move the needle on PFF’s WAR (wins above replacement) metric. (WAR is defined as the number of additional wins a player’s team achieves above the number of expected team wins if that player were substituted with a replacement-level player).
Carolina ranks 21st in PFF’s WAR metric with a score of 1% on the improvement index. Until the Panthers add a left tackle or quarterback, that number will not change.
“Adding Brown or Fisher would help with their 2022 (WAR) calculation,” Cole told The Observer. “Those guys are getting up there in age. So it would be a short-term move, but they are the top tackles on the market.”
Fitterer wants to add a tackle. Walder agrees but said he prefers Carolina signing Brown or Fisher rather than using pick No.6 on a tackle. Fisher, the former 2013 No. 1 pick, played in 15 games last season for the Colts despite suffering a torn Achilles in 2020. He wasn’t his normal self following the injury. According to PFF, he allowed 41 pressures, 11 quarterback hits, seven sacks and committed eight penalties.
There are legitimate concerns his best football is far behind him. He’ll turn 32 in January. Brown is five years older than Fisher but played much better last season. Brown made his fifth Pro Bowl in 2021 and is expected to return to the NFL for his 15th season.
Carolina could sign Brown or Fisher and still draft a first-round left tackle. The Panthers will keep scouting top tackle prospects Evan Neal (Alabama), Charles Cross (Mississippi State) and Ikem Ekwonu (NC State). Ekwonu’s pro day is scheduled for Tuesday.
If the Panthers don’t add a tackle between now and training camp, the projected starting lineup is likely Brady Christensen (LT), Michael Jordan or Bradley Bozeman (LG), Pat Elflein (C), Corbett (RG) and Moton (RT).
That lineup is better than last year. Christensen and Bozeman provide valuable depth and flexibility, which should continue to keep the team’s options open.
“Through free agency, the whole point was to be able to go into the draft the most flexibility to be able to take the best available (player),” Fitterer said. We did that. We went out, attacked some positions of need, took care of the defensive backs, fixed the offensive line as best we could, and so it makes me excited where we’re at.”
The Panthers’ offensive line is more flexible and deeper than it was a year ago. But much like quarterback, there are still major questions at one of the three most important positions on the roster.
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
