What exactly do the Carolina Panthers have at OT in 2021?
By Dean Jones
Brady Christensen – Carolina Panthers OT
It was something of a surprise that the Carolina Panthers did not take an offensive tackle earlier than the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Had Oregon‘s Penei Sewell fallen one more spot to No. 8 and past the Detroit Lions, it might have been a different story. But they did get someone who was clearly high on their list of potential options heading into the three-day event.
Brady Christensen might be a little older than your average draft prospect – turning 25 years old in September – but his production was up there with any college tackle around in 2020.
Protecting Zach Wilson’s blindside with supreme efficiency at BYU, Christensen earned the highest-ever grade given out to an offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus last season and Carolina saw enough in the player to trade up and select him.
Christensen is strong, solid at the point of attack, and comes into the next level with a high football IQ. There are some concerns about his athleticism and arm size against more explosive NFL edge rushers, so how the rookie applies himself during preseason games will go a long way to determining just what role he’ll play in 2021.
At the present time, Christensen is slotted to start at left tackle, although the Panthers gave him a second-round grade at guard that is another option surely under consideration.
Either way, expect Christensen to see plenty of the field during his first season in a professional environment and he could be a shrewd pick by the Panthers when it’s all said and done.