7 interior offensive linemen the Panthers could select in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Luke Gray
Carolina Panthers could select Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
Measurables
- Height: 6-foot-4 |Â Weight: 325 pounds
– 2021 PFF grade – 80.8
Another player projected to go late in the first round is Kenyon Green, who with an 80.8 grade from Pro Football Focus for the 2021 season. This saw him ranked as the second-highest guard in a stacked SEC, which is no mean feat by any stretch.
Green is a player who has the flexibility liked by the Carolina Panthers staff. During his time in college, he has played at both guard and tackle – although many experts predict the best of Green is to be seen on the interior at the next level.
Similar to Tyler Linderbaum, Green’s best work comes in the run game. At over 320 pounds and a dot under 6-foot-4, the player is dominant, using his large frame and excellent stance to completely overwhelm opponents and finish them into the ground.
Despite his size, Green still shows great athletic traits enabling him to shoot from his stance with violence and destruction. With the Panthers keen to become a downhill running team under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, these are all appealing traits.
Green is also solid when it comes to pass protection, with his wide stance and long arms allowing him to provide a stout presence. However, he did struggle on the edge against quicker rushers on occasions.
The one note of concern for Green is hand placement issues. This could lead him vulnerable to penalty calls once he gets to the NFL.
While it’s clear that Green has some small issues to iron out, the former five-star recruit has the basics to be an immediate starter in the NFL. Pairing the lineman with an experienced coach like James Campen could help polish the deficiencies and add some grit to a Panthers unit that was perceived as soft for most of 2021.