Panthers GM says rookie Chandler Zavala ‘really wanted’ to be drafted by Carolina
During Day 2 of this past weekend’s NFL Draft, Panthers GM Scott Fitterer received a text message from N.C. State guard Chandler Zavala.
Carolina selected Ole Miss wideout Jonathan Mingo and Oregon pass rusher DJ Johnson in the second and third rounds, respectively, but Zavala was eager for an update on his potential future with the Panthers.
The check-in text didn’t lead to a whole lot of clarity for the 6-foot-3, 322-pound lineman.
Zavala — who started his college career at Fairmont State in West Virginia — waited until Day 3 to receive a definitive answer. That’s when he got the call from Carolina during the fourth round, as the Panthers turned in the card making Zavala the 114th overall pick in the draft.
“He’s a guy that really wanted to be here,” Fitterer said Saturday. “He had a really good visit with us.”
During the congratulatory call to Zavala, Panthers offensive line coach James Campen celebrated emotionally in the background. Fitterer said Campen had the best pick celebration of the weekend when the Panthers made the choice to take Zavala.
“I’d love to play poker with him,” Fitterer said. “He can’t hide his emotions. I think he was really excited today to get Zavala. He loves those guys. He loves that group. Takes a lot of pride in them. The personalities, how they mesh in there, to add someone like Zavala, he was really excited.”
Zavala was also excited.
The 24-year-old lineman was eager to reunite with his former N.C. State teammate, Panthers starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, in Charlotte.
“Playing next to Ickey was really fun,” Zavala said. “We both learned a lot from each other. And we just got along, just playing well with each other and (I’m) excited to be a Carolina Panther and just get things going day by day.”
Zavala lined up at left guard at N.C. State. He played right next to Ekwonu and the pair forged a powerful tandem in 2021 until Zavala suffered a season-ending back injury.
Fitterer and the front office enjoyed watching the small sample size of Zavala and Ekwonu dominating together.
“We went back — it’s funny — like two years ago, watching tape, where he lines up right next to Ickey, and they were road grading people,” Fitterer said. “They’re good friends. (Zavala is) physical. He’s smart. He’s tough. He’s everything that we want on the offensive line.”
The Panthers are monitoring two major injuries on their guard depth chart this offseason.
Starting left guard Brady Christensen and right guard Austin Corbett both suffered notable injuries during the team’s season finale against the New Orleans Saints in January.
Christensen has been limited during voluntary minicamp as he recovers from a broken ankle. Corbett, who underwent offseason ACL surgery, is expected to miss regular-season action, according to head coach Frank Reich.
Zavala was added to provide competition and support at the position.
“Something Scott and I talked about — we need to find somebody to come in there and compete and find the right mix in the interior,” Reich said. “So that’ll play itself out over the next few months and in training camp.”
With Corbett out of the mix, and Christensen still settling in at left guard, Zavala could see a surprise surge up the depth chart at some point this summer.
And while Zavala couldn’t wait to join the Panthers, he plans on being patient with his standing on the depth chart.
“I’m just ready to get in to Carolina and just take it day by day,” Zavala said. “Getting there and in camp, and just do what I do and just work . . . and show everybody what I can do and just keep rolling.”
This story was originally published May 4, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
