Carolina Panthers must finalize left-side OL starters
Now that the Carolina Panthers have improved quality across the offensive line after a busy period of recruitment, Matt Rhule and his staff must figure out how best to utilize the options at their disposal.
Things look pretty set on the right-hand side with edge protector Taylor Moton and free-agent signing Austin Corbett. Newly acquired veteran Bradley Bozeman is expected to assume responsibilities at the center position barring a significant setback.
On the left-hand side, it’s a different story.
There doesn’t appear much doubt as to who the starting players will be. Rather just which positions Brady Christensen and Ikem Ekwonu will occupy in Week 1.
Matt Rhule stated that Ekwonu must earn the right to become the team’s left tackle despite being selected No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. While the North Carolina State product is picking things up and working on key areas, Christensen has excelled on the blindside throughout camp and has a sneaky chance to earn the job based on performance levels.
Ekwonu’s ability to crush everything in his path on running downs means he’d be well-suited to an interior role initially. But the Panthers didn’t take the player this high for him to be anything other than their franchise left tackle long-term.
It won’t be much longer before we find out for sure. However, the Panthers can relax safe in the knowledge it promises to be a substantial upgrade either way.