4 Carolina Panthers players unjustly overlooked for 2023 Pro Bowl
By Dean Jones
Austin Corbett – Carolina Panthers OL
The Carolina Panthers made some impressive acquisitions during free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft. One could argue none have been more important than Austin Corbett.
Joining on a relatively big money contract from the Los Angeles Rams, there was a quiet sense of optimism about what Corbett could bring to the Panthers. The interior lineman’s consistency and leadership were traits sorely lacking at the right guard spot, which made a smooth transition to Carolina and played a leading role in the immense improvements across the protection.
Corbett’s discipline, communication, and pass protection have been a joy to watch after so much torrid guard production in recent years. The former second-round pick has given up just two sacks and conceded two penalties from 825 snaps, with his encouraging 69.2 grade from Pro Football Focus another indicator of how well he’s performed in a different environment.
Carolina now possesses an offensive line to be proud of. Providing an extension can be reached with starting center Bradley Bozeman before free agency, this unit should stay together and become even more prolific in 2023.
There’s no doubting the impact made by Corbett. But the guard position competition in the NFC was fierce and the Panthers’ languishing on five wins probably didn’t help his cause when push came to shove.