Started from the bottom, now they’re here. (And by “here,” we don’t mean the very top—at least not yet.)
Pro Football Focus lead NFL analyst Sam Monson recently released his rankings of the NFL’s 32 offensive lines. Coming in at No. 16, after ranking 24th on this very list in 2022, are the Carolina Panthers.
Monson included the following notes about the ascending hog mollies:
– Carolina is another team banking on internal development and stability paying dividends. The unit climbed from 31st in the rankings to the fringes of the top 10 last season.
– Brady Christensen will be on the hot seat after earning a 57.3 PFF grade last year, but rookie Chandler Zavala is now there to provide competition.
– Taylor Moton allowed just 21 pressures in 17 games and remains one of the best pass-protecting right tackles in football.
Moton, however, will likely not be joined by his fellow starter in guard Austin Corbett on that right side to start the season. Corbett, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is expected to miss time to kick off 2023.
Carolina does, however, have some depth that can hold it down. That right guard position could be manned by Zavala, Christensen, free-agent signing Justin McCray, Cade Mays or Michael Jordan.
The competition for the spot, and the one on the other side of center Bradley Bozeman, will really amp up in about six weeks.
