What are some burning questions facing the Carolina Panthers offensive line heading into the 2021 season?
There is a great deal of excitement surrounding a hungry-looking Carolina Panthers roster heading into the 2021 season. They have plenty of dynamic players on both sides of the ball who are capable of turning a game on its head, with the coaching staff also sure to benefit from the experiences gained during their first campaign with the organization last time around.
This optimism is matched by some concerns within positional groups that could hinder their chances of progression. The offensive line is arguably at the top of the list, with the Panthers opting to go with unproven rookies and underperforming veterans during their recruitment process this offseason.
General manager Scott Fitterer stated Carolina’s protection is a fluid situation that will continue right up until the final cuts are made. The coaching staff has used plenty of different formations throughout training camp, which will also be an ongoing trend in their three preseason games.
With this in mind, here are five burning questions facing Carolina’s offensive line in 2021.
Question No. 1
Where will the Carolina Panthers use Brady Christensen?
Having the versatility Brady Christensen brings to the table is all well and good. But the time is fast approaching for the Panthers to decide on his preferred position and stick with it.
Christensen’s exceptional blindside protection at BYU was a standout feature when studying the film. However, it doesn’t appear as if the Panthers are contemplating using the third-round pick in this area of the field.
Perhaps moving him onto the interior will alleviate concerns about Christensen’s arm length. Carolina is also taking it slowly with the rookie, opting to give veterans the majority of first-team reps during camp so far.
Can the Carolina Panthers rely on Cam Erving at LT?
Considering how focused the Carolina Panthers were on improving other areas that required immediate attention, their constant refusal to prioritize the left tackle position remains a real head-scratcher.
Obviously, had Penei Sewell fallen one more spot to No. 8 overall, we’re probably not having this conversation. But fans are rightfully looking at their current blindside options will a real sense of trepidation in 2021.
Cam Erving appears to be the firm favorite to win the job for Week 1 against the New York Jets. This is his final chance for the player to remove his draft bust label, something that’s come as a result of inconsistent performances for three different teams over a six-year period since entering the league as a first-round pick.
Erving production on the edge has left a lot to be desired.
He appears far better suited to one of the guard positions judging by recent exploits. So it’s a significant gamble for the Panthers to put the former Florida State star at the most important position on their offensive line.
How Erving performs in the preseason will be telling.
Carolina also has Trenton Scott and Greg Little who could fit in if required. Although this would be yet another band-aid on what’s become a substantial problem for the organization ever since Jordan Gross retired after the 2013 season.
Interior experience key for the Carolina Panthers?
Waiving undrafted free agent David Moore before he’d seen the field for a preseason snap is another strong indicator that the Carolina Panthers will go with experience on the interior offensive line in 2021.
The likes of Brady Christensen and Deonte Brown could become starters over time, but they’ve not been heavily involved when it comes to first-team reps during camp so far.
This leaves Carolina projected to go with John Miller and Pat Elflein as their starting guards, with Matt Paradis occupying the center position. Simply put, how they come together in the weeks ahead could be the difference between success and failure in this region.
Elflein was a top target for the Panthers in free agency, even though his production with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets over the last two seasons has been anything but remarkable.
Carolina brought back Miller on a team-friendly deal this offseason. This should keep some continuity on the right side after stud tackle Taylor Moton signed a bumper new deal just minutes before the deadline to extend players on the franchise tag.
Paradis showed some signs of life in 2020 after a dismal first season with the Panthers. He’ll have to raise his game again this time around in pursuit of earning an extended stay next spring.
Experience will only get you so far. So it’ll be interesting to see how this trio fares in the face of some stern competition.
When will Deonte Brown be ready?
The Carolina Panthers didn’t draft Deonte Brown with a view to the player becoming a Day 1 starter.
It would be nice, obviously. But the former Alabama stud is seen as a development project that could slot in on the interior with a little more refinement in the coming months.
Brown is a gargantuan presence who was almost flawless for the Crimson Tide on their way to yet another national championship in 2020. Some analysts had him projected as a third-round pick before character and weight concerns reared their heads during the evaluation process, meaning he was available to the Panthers midway through Day 3.
Carolina’s staff will be keeping a close eye no only on Brown’s development, but his eating habits and conduct away from the team facility. However, head coach Matt Rhule claimed the player got a glowing recommendation from Nick Saban, who is one of the most respected figures in the college game and knows the lineman better than most.
This is a work in progress. Brown should make the roster, but whether he’ll be ready to see any meaningful reps will come down to his adjustments in a professional environment.
Watching how Brown gets on in the preseason should tell us more about just how long it’s going to take for him to contend for a starting spot.
Can Taylor Moton become NFL’s best RT in 2021?
There was a collective sigh of relief throughout the Carolina Panthers when the organization got a long-term deal done with Taylor Moton. The right tackle has been nothing short of sensational over the last three seasons and it was great to see the former second-round pick get the contract he deserved rather than playing out the 2021 season on the franchise tag.
For all the questions elsewhere on Carolina’s protection, Moton remains the shining light. He is a model of consistency on the edge and has proven capable of coping with even the most dominant pass-rushers with ease throughout his career.
Now Moton is being paid like one of the league’s most prolific edge presences, keeping up this level of production will be vital. If the Western Michigan product takes another step forward, then he could emerge as the NFL’s undisputed best player at the position.
That is a lofty target to aim for. And one could argue Moton is already at the top of the pile.
The player has also been taking plenty of reps at left tackle during training camp, which is obviously something to monitor extremely closely in preseason contests and the regular season itself.
Carolina will be heavily reliant on Moton regardless of where he lines up. It’s hard to imagine the state of their offensive line without him.