7 free-agent interior offensive linemen the Panthers should consider in 2022
By Luke Tucker
Carolina Panthers should target Justin Britt
If the Carolina Panthers choose not to re-sign center Matt Paradis, then they will either have to roll with Pat Elflein again in 2022 find a replacement via free agency or the draft.
Considering Paradis’ age and the fact that he tore his ACL in November, it is far from a certainty that he will be back this coming year. If the team decides to bring in new blood to replace him, Justin Britt would be a solid option.
Britt was the Seattle Seahawks’ starting center over a four-year period but was out of football in 2020 after suffering a major knee injury midway through the 2019 season. He spent 2021 with the Houston Texans, starting 11 games and proving he can still compete in the NFL.
The former second-round pick has played the best football of his career at the center position, so if the Panthers were to sign him, it would make the most sense to put him there. He does offer flexibility though, so he could fill in where needed across the protection.
Elflein wasn’t terrible at center during the second half of the 2021 campaign. But he has had trouble staying healthy the past two seasons and does have moments where he gets flustered.
Also, for what it’s worth, Scott Fitterer was the Seahawks’ director of college scouting when they drafted Britt out of Missouri in 2014.
Signing Britt would be far from a “splash” move, but he is a veteran who has played meaningful roles on some good Seattle teams. He would likely provide only a temporary fix, but he should come with a cheap price tag and potentially add some stability and leadership.