Panthers still have plenty of solid options at swing tackle ahead of OTAs and minicamp
One of the Carolina Panthers’ biggest roster holes has yet to be filled.
Despite a calculated spending spree in March, and a five-pick draft weekend in April, Carolina still hasn’t found a swing tackle to back up left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and right tackle Taylor Moton. The Panthers are admittedly aware of the vacancy behind their top two tackles, and following the draft, general manager Scott Fitterer acknowledged that the search for a swing tackle will continue until that player is on the depth chart.
“Well, we have options . . . there are veterans on the street,” Fitterer said Saturday. “We’ll get into free agency here, we still have a couple of linemen on our board, and we’ll see how that goes. And the thing is there’s always the 53-man (roster) cut. There’s other opportunities. There are players in the XFL. We will look at every opportunity.”
And while signing an XFL standout seems like a solid move on paper, the Panthers still have plenty of alternatives, as Fitterer mentioned, in veteran free agency. In fact, some of those players aren’t far removed from being full-time starters at left or right tackle. So, it’s really a matter of price, and the Panthers can afford to dish out a team-friendly deal to an older, but still effective backup offensive tackle.
Below are six potential options for the Panthers at swing tackle in free agency:
Donovan Smith
Age: 29
Exp: Eight seasons (124 games/124 starts)
Smith was recently released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after serving as a long-term starting left tackle for the rival NFC South franchise. While he has mostly played on the left side, Smith could be willing to try out the right side in a backup role. If Ekwonu or Moton went down, Smith would be an ideal replacement, especially in the event of a season-ending injury.
Cam Erving
Age: 30
Exp: Eight seasons (95 games/56 starts)
Erving served as the Panthers’ swing tackle last season. In his role as a backup, Erving mentored the likes of Ekwonu and fellow rookie Cade Mays during the 2022 campaign. Erving was a positive influence on the roster last season, and he probably could be had for a cheap price in free agency.
George Fant
Age: 30
Exp: Seven seasons (83 games/60 starts)
Fant is a journeyman blocker who has started his fair share of games on both sides of the line. Fant moved between right and left tackle during his three seasons with the New York Jets. Only 30, he still has a lot left in the tank.
Ja’Wuan James
Age: 30
Exp: Seven seasons (66 games/66 starts)
James is more in the Erving realm than the Fant or Smith universes. He can back up both tackle positions, but he won’t be someone who pushes Moton or Ekwonu for playing time. James has dealt with his fair share of injuries and probably would be a last resort for Carolina.
Dennis Kelly
Age: 33
Exp: 10 seasons (130 games/54 starts)
Kelly has a background with head coach Frank Reich. The veteran tackle played for Reich last season as a swing blocker in Indianapolis. He seems comfortable in a backup role and can still play as a quality reserve.
Chris Hubbard
Age: 32
Exp: Nine seasons (85 games/49 starts)
Like Erving, Kelly and James, Hubbard is a veteran swing tackle who knows his role. He will be able to provide support for Moton and/or Ekwonu, but won’t threaten anyone in the lineup. Again, he is an affordable, last resort option.
This story was originally published May 2, 2023 at 7:45 AM.
