7 free-agent interior offensive linemen the Panthers should consider in 2022
By Luke Tucker
Carolina Panthers should target Tyler Shatley
Another veteran that the Carolina Panthers could look at to add depth to the interior of their offensive line is longtime Jacksonville Jaguar and North Carolina native Tyler Shatley.
Shatley will be 31 years old when the season begins and hasn’t missed a game since 2015. If acquired, the center would provide competition with Pat Elflein if Carolina chooses not to pursue other options.
The former Clemson Tiger has starting experience, so even if he were to be signed and doesn’t beat out Elflein for the starting job, he is a good depth piece that the Panthers were sorely lacking in 2021.
When Paradis went down, Sam Tecklenburg became the primary backup to Elflein. And with all due respect to the Baylor product, Shatley would be a significant upgrade.
As an added bonus for the Panthers, Shatley didn’t allow a single sack in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus.
Like Justin Britt, Shatley wouldn’t be a sexy signing. But he would be a useful one. The fact that he can also play guard makes him more valuable as well.
Overall, Shatley would provide good value for not a whole lot of cost.
At the very worst, he’s better than a platoon of John Miller and Michael Jordan if he were to end up at guard. At the very best, he could come in and step into a starting role at either guard or center and provide the Panthers with good enough play until they find a more permanent solution.