The Carolina Panthers took the difficult decision to let Cade Mays walk in free agency. General manager Dan Morgan opted to allocate his primary resources elsewhere, leaving the starting center free to sign for the Detroit Lions soon after the legal tampering window opened.
Morgan acquired Luke Fortner, who played well enough for the New Orleans Saints last season and could be a nice stopgap. However, one NFL Draft analyst offered an intriguing contingency plan with much greater long-term upside.
The Panthers are in an interesting spot at No. 19 overall in the draft. They have very few needs, and Morgan is looking to take the best prospect available. He'll be keeping a close eye on what's going on in front of him, but nothing should be dismissed entirely.
ESPN analyst Jordan Reid makes a compelling case for the Carolina Panthers picking Spencer Fano
Jordan Reid of ESPN thought Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano made sense for the Panthers. Although he's got most of his experience at tackle, the analyst cited his ability to play center as a reason Carolina could pull the trigger if he's still on the board.
"[Spencer] Fano can play all five spots up front, and he could even fill in at center as a rookie prior to moving to another spot after his first season. He's light on his feet and plays with urgency."
Fano may not have the prototypical size and length for an NFL offensive tackle, but that doesn't mean he cannot carve out a successful career for himself. His willingness to take reps at center during pre-draft workouts only adds weight to Reid's claim.
The athleticism Fano displays is absolutely off the charts, something that jumps off his tape and was later confirmed at the NFL Scouting Combine. He fires out of his stance with rare explosiveness. When the upper hand is secured, he's got enough core strength to hold his base. He's also got a ruthless finishing streak that's hard not to love.
There are some slight technical flaws to work out, and his 32-inch arms are not ideal if he wants to play on the edge. But if Fano embraces a shift to the interior, he would be the best center prospect in this class immediately.
This transition would go smoothly for one reason above all else. Fano might be a junior, but his communication pre-snap is exceptional. He's got a strong football IQ and identifies problems quickly. That won't guarantee success, but it doesn't hurt by any stretch of the imagination.
The Panthers have not drafted an offensive lineman throughout Morgan's tenure so far. If that changes, Fano represents a more intriguing option than most.