For the first time since Matt Kalil signed a five-year, $55.5 million deal in 2017, the Panthers have upgraded at the left tackle position. They did so by selecting Greg Little in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. Unlike the Kalil signing, however, this one may actually pan out for the team.
There are multiple candidates available to compete at the left tackle position this training camp and preseason. Each one of them would drastically alter how the rest of the offensive line might look like. Here is a look at who could be starting at left tackle Week 1.
The favorite: Greg Little
It would be a lie to say Little is not expected to be the left tackle of the future for Carolina. The real question is how soon he will be ready to step into that role. Unless Little shows he is completely unprepared at this point to protect Cam Newton’s blind side, expect him to start out as the front-runner for the position.
Little started the last 29 games of his college career at Mississippi, and his 6-foot-5, 310 pound frame shows he can be a solid anchor for the left side of the Panthers offensive line. The biggest knocks on his game according to Lance Zierlein are his upper body strength and his ability to recover. Being in an NFL weight room and having a strong pro offensive line coach like John Matsko should help.
The no. 2 contender: Taylor Moton
Moton has played about as well as could be expected since he was drafted. He started all 16 games in 2018 after seeing only reserve time in 2017. Now, he is poised to take over a permanent starting spot somewhere along the offensive line. In fact, the best-case scenario for the Panthers is likely one that does not involve Moton playing left tackle.
However, if Little fails to win the starting spot, Moton is the best candidate to take over at left tackle until Little is ready to step up. This could either kick Little to the inside left guard position, or leave him as a reserve for both spots in case Greg Van Roten wins the left guard battle after starting all last season at the position. In that scenario, Moton would be replaced at right tackle by the last player on our list. . .
The outside sleeper candidate: Daryl Williams
Primarily a right tackle, the former All-Pro surprised many with his superb 2017 season. Williams was unable to build on it though, as he was placed on injured reserve early in September after aggravating his knee injury. After rehabbing the last 15 months, Williams should be recovered and ready to compete for a starting spot.
The best spot for Williams is likely at the right tackle position — especially with Little and Moton filling the void on the other side of the line. But if either one doesn’t work out, Williams should be first in line to shift over to left tackle.
