5 first-round prospects the Panthers should avoid after free-agent moves
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers should avoid Kenyon Green
This is a tricky one because the Carolina Panthers still have some questions to answer surrounding their offensive line. One more addition will be needed at some stage, but just what occurs either before or during the draft is largely dependent on how the coaching staff sees Brady Christensen moving forward.
The former third-round pick played well last season, even if Christensen’s production was hampered slightly by switching to multiple positions – denying him the continuity needed to make a real go of things during his opening campaign with the team.
Christensen performed well at his preferred position of left tackle down the stretch. However, there is a real reluctance from those in power to make a long-standing commitment to the player on the blindside.
If the Panthers switch Christensen to the interior, then you can probably tick off Kenyon Green from Carolina’s shortlist. The Texas A&M guard is a commanding force in run support and also holds his own in pass protection with supreme confidence – traits that are always in high commodity in league circles.
Carolina secured the services of Super Bowl winner Austin Corbett in free agency. Couple this with Bradley Bozeman and Christensen also on the interior, it’s hard not to look at this trio as a major improvement.
If someone like Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu makes it out of the top five, then the Panthers could have one of the better protections anywhere in the NFL by the time competitive games begin once again.