Analyzing the market for Panthers top-5 free agents in 2021
By Dean Jones
Taylor Moton – Carolina Panthers OT
- Current salary – $1.03 million ($1.32 million cap)
- Team priority – Ultra-high
Taylor Moton is priority No. 1 for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Letting one of the NFL’s best edge protectors walk in free agency would be nothing short of a disaster and the sooner this situation is resolved, the better.
Keeping the former second-round pick isn’t going to be cheap.
But the best players seldom are.
Considering how much upheaval is expected at other positions on Carolina’s offensive line, it makes tying Moton down to a bumper new contract even more imperative.
His flawless ability to prevent even the most dominant pass-rushers from getting into the backfield consistently was a joy to behold and there is every chance the Western Michigan product can get even better with more productive individuals around him on the line of scrimmage.
Moton is projected to get around $14.7 million a year on his next contract, according to Spotrac. This is not too dissimilar to the franchise tag if an extension cannot be worked out by the time free agency begins.
The Panthers shouldn’t hesitate to put this designation on Moton if it prevents him from leaving the organization. He is an elite player at the position and it is essential that Carolina keeps him at all costs.