5 prospects on offense Panthers should monitor at Senior Bowl
By Dean Jones
Alex Leatherwood – OT (Alabama)
Russell Okung’s unreliability from a health standpoint will probably mean the Carolina Panthers cut ties with the player after just one season. The veteran left tackle actually played well when he was in the lineup, but various injury problems restricted him to just seven games, and a younger, more dependable blindside protector should be sought this offseason.
Getting left tackles that can produce the goods in free agency tends to come with a high price. Besides, this is the deepest NFL Draft class in recent memory for offensive linemen and a player such as Alex Leatherwood should be high on the list of possibilities.
Leatherwood has everything one looks for in a tackle prospect. He has generated some exceptional film to go off during his time at Alabama and ended his college career on a high with a superb display in the Crimson Tide’s national championship triumph over Ohio State.
The player also has experience at guard, which is another area where Carolina needs a substantial upgrade before competitive action gets underway in 2021. However, if the Panthers decide to take Leatherwood with their first or second-round pick, depending on how the draft plays out, then it is sure to see him occupy the vacant tackle position with Okung’s impending departure.
If things don’t work out there, then any team that drafts him can take some comfort in the fact he’ll be just as effective on the interior.