5 interior offensive linemen Panthers could pick in the 2021 draft
By Dean Jones
Which interior offensive linemen could the Carolina Panthers potentially look to acquire during the 2021 NFL Draft later this month?
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Carolina Panthers need to make improving their protection a top priority during the 2021 NFL Draft. They made a bold move to acquire quarterback Sam Darnold via trade from the New York Jets. But if the organization doesn’t bring in the necessary quality to keep the signal-caller upright, things might start trending on a downward curve quickly.
The Panthers brought in Cam Erving and Pat Elflein during the early stage of free agency. However, considering the struggles both players have gone through during their respective careers, expecting them to come in and perform to the level expected is not realistic.
They also decided to retain John Miller on a one-year deal that looks far better from a financial standpoint than the $4 million he earned in 2020. The former Cincinnati Bengal did have some nice moments throughout the campaign, but he was a little inconsistent in big moments that left his future in some doubt earlier this year.
Carolina Panthers should make the most of a deep OL class.
What moves Carolina makes to strengthen this area of the field is going to have some significant repercussions. They need a franchise left tackle that might be addressed from No. 8 overall and this is a deep draft class for interior blockers that the team would be wise to take advantage of.
With this in mind, here are five interior linemen that the Panthers should be targeting at various stages of the draft.