Five offensive linemen the Carolina Panthers could be targeting in the 2018 NFL Draft…
The Carolina Panthers do not currently have a permanent general manager but expectations are that interim Marty Hurney will eventually be granted the full-time position. In his previous tenure with the title, Hurney displayed a tendency to nail first-round picks but falter in the later rounds.
As our trip around the Panthers roster begins in preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft, there are numerous areas of interest where youth could be injected into the lineup. Beginning with the offensive line, one of the main questions to be answered is the future of guard Andrew Norwell.
Unlikely to have the franchise tag applied, the Panthers could make an offer to Norwell or let him leave and receive some compensatory picks. Either way, center Ryan Kalil has already announced his plans for retirement following next season and Carolina will have to determine if Tyler Larsen is the future anchor up front.
Continue to view a few offensive linemen who could be on the Panthers radar as the NFL Draft approaches.
BILLY PRICE, Ohio State (6-foot-4, 315 pounds)
Projected Round: 1-2
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper has already projected Billy Price to the Panthers late in the first round but the futures of Norwell and Larsen are likely to shape this pick. Should Carolina retain them both it is likely another positional group would be targeted prior to offensive line.
If so, then expect Price to be gone before the Panthers have an opportunity in the second round.
"Price impressed NFL evaluators, both with his work in fall training camp and in the games of the 2017 season. They say that Price plays within himself. They like his awareness and call him an above-average athlete. He isn’t overly fast or twitchy like the Pouncey brothers, but Price has movement skills and is better than average in space. The sources also like that Price handles big nose tackles well, which can be difficult for centers and is a hard-to-find talent. As a result of his well-balanced play, Price is being viewed as a prospect who could go in the early rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft. One team source thought that if Josh Garnett and Laken Tomlinson were worthy of first-round picks, then Price could be as well because they feel Price is a better prospect than either of Garnett or Tomlinson. Teams are projecting Price to be a starting center in the NFL."
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com
FRANK RAGNOW, Arkansas (6-foot-4, 307 pounds)
Projected Round: 3-5
An ankle injury which required surgery and kept Frank Ragnow sidelined for the end of his senior season at Arkansas may cause the prospect to fall a bit on draft day. If so, Ragnow could be a steal for the Panthers as some are rating him as the top center in this draft class despite the injury.
"Ragnow could be in the running to be one of the top center prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft. Over the past two seasons, he hasn’t allowed a single sack while taking on excellent competition. As one can expect coming from Arkansas, Ragnow is also a tough run blocker. He is a technician who enters his senior year having made 26 straight starts. As a sophomore, Ragnow was the Razorbacks starter at right guard. He has the size to be a guard or center in the NFL."
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com
SEAN WELSH, Iowa (6-foot-2, 296 pounds)
Projected Round: 3-5
Depending on what the future holds for Norwell, the Panthers could move to find a solid backup that could also provide depth at center in an emergency. If both Norwell and Larsen return, then a potential developmental pick could be spent on Sean Welsh, who has the skill set to make an impact in the NFL with a little more improvement.
"Iowa has consistently produced NFL talent, and Welsh is the latest Hawkeye who has impressed evaluators enough to receive professional consideration. Welsh made some starts at right tackle during his collegiate career and logged time at center, but mostly he started at guard. For the NFL, he is a guard, although he almost certainly will be cross-trained at center to make him more versatile and valuable on game days. Welsh played well enough over 2017 to earn a Senior Bowl invitation, but he didn’t impress in Mobile."
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com
ISAIAH WYNN, Georgia (6-foot-2, 308 pounds)
Projected Round: 1-2
If Norwell doesn’t return then the Panthers will need an immediate replacement who can consistently protect quarterback Cam Newton and help move the football with their run blocking. Isaiah Wynn impressed during the Reese’s Senior Bowl and is quickly improving his draft status.
"Wynn impressed scouts in 2017 as an excellent run blocker for the Bulldogs. He blocks with aggression and has a temperament that is hard to find in college blockers. In pass protection, Wynn was very dependable as well. He performed well at the Senior Bowl practices."
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com
BRIAN ALLEN, Michigan State (6-foot-1, 304 pounds)
Projected Round: 7-FA
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
The Panthers may elect to reach for a center who is currently under the radar with Kalil returning for at least one more season and Larsen likely to come back. If so, Michigan State center Brian Allen could be provided an opportunity either late on day three or immediately following the final draft selection.
Allen has made a name for himself due to his physicality and tough play. Even though he doesn’t have the height most teams prefer from their center, he would be learning from one of the best in the business and only slightly taller, for one season.
"Sources have told me that Allen is getting very late-round or undrafted free agent grades. They like Allen because he is a tough player who plays with a salty demeanor and is a physical blocker. He’s 6-foot-1, however, and there are very few centers who can stick in the NFL at that height. Allen also can’t get movement and struggles with odd fronts. He is a good college player, but has limitations that could prevent him from translating to the NFL."
The Panthers ultimately have some key decisions to make in the next couple of months, in addition to finding an owner and hiring a full-time general manager.
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com