4 pros and cons to the Carolina Panthers starting Taylor Moton at LT
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers need Sam Darnold to shine
One of the biggest factors behind Sam Darnold’s failure with the New York Jets was a lack of protection in front of him. He was under constant duress for three years under center and if the same happens to the USC product in a different environment, it’s going to be a real problem.
The Carolina Panthers have some questions to answer at left tackle. There’s no getting away from that.
Taylor Moton is an elite right tackle and seems to possess the necessary athleticism to make a smooth transition over to the blindside, which has been regarded as a more important position throughout league history.
Carolina putting its best offensive lineman at this prominent spot is something worth trying, at the very least. If Moton provides the same efficiency on the left as he did on the right, it is going to give Darnold’s chances a big shot in the arm.
Others need to also perform well, obviously. But shifting Moton to left tackle could bring some real benefits to a quarterback who is fighting to prove beyond all doubt he can be a starting-caliber NFL player moving forward.
If it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, then Moton can revert back to the right-hand side, where we know what his capabilities are.