Carolina Panthers: Offensive line can get stronger in 2018 NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers need to add some depth to their offensive line through the 2018 NFL Draft.
The early rounds of the NFL Draft are important for each of the 32 teams that make up the NFL. These picks often help set the tone for the rest of the draft, but give some direction to the future of the organization as well. The Carolina Panthers are sitting in the 24th position this year and they have two key positions that need addressing. One of which is an additional impact player for the Panthers offensive line, which may come as an early pick in this year’s draft.
When Matt Kalil was added to the Panthers offensive line, many thought this was a mistake. Matt’s brother, Ryan, has been a standout on the offensive line for years, but Matt is far from the same type of player. His performance in 2017 solidified that and the Panthers should look for another option at this time.
Then there’s the situation with guard Andrew Norwell. Norwell is an unrestricted free agent and could generate a lot of buzz on the free agent market. Many consider Norwell one of the top guards in the league, if not the top offensive line free agent available this season. It will be hard for Carolina to keep him if they don’t use the franchise tag on him during the offseason.
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If Norwell is gone, how do the Panthers add depth to their offensive line? Carolina’s run game is an important part of the organization’s play calling and protecting Cam Newton is a priority as he’s dealt with multiple injuries in recent memory. If you compare Norwell’s performance to those of other highly touted offensive guards, he could end up with a deal that’s worth approximately $12 million per year. That’s a number that the Panthers may not want to dedicate to him, and instead can look at bringing in another player through the 2018 NFL Draft.
Isaiah Wynn of Georgia looks like a viable option this year. At Georgia he showed that he can play either the guard or the tackle role, giving the Panthers some diversity where it matters most. There have been times when Carolina’s offensive line has struggled with injury in such a way that the players have been shifted from slot to slot. Sometimes playing in positions that were entirely new.
Wynn adds an important layer of security through youth and versatility, which is what the Panthers need at this time. There aren’t a lot of top level offensive linemen available through the draft this year so if he’s available when the Panthers come up, they should jump on this selection.
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Carolina needs to make some moves to solidify the offensive line during the off season. Bringing in a player or two through the draft seems to be the right call to help deal with the turnover that the team consistently sees across the offensive line. Isaiah Wynn can be a big help that contributes immediately for this team if he’s selected with the 24th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.