The Panthers’ offensive line will not look the same next season as it did in 2021.
Nor should it. The Panthers could not protect their quarterbacks, whether that was Cam Newton or Sam Darnold, and it was a primary reason their offense struggled. The Panthers allowed 52 sacks in 2021, and now they know they must fix it.
That improvement remains the Panthers’ No. 1 priority. The only guaranteed starter from opening day last season will be right tackle Taylor Moton.
What’s next for the offensive line? Here is a breakdown of the Panthers’ offensive line:
What went right?
Not much. The Panthers allowed the fifth-most sacks in the NFL.
There were a few positives, though. When they actually ran the football, they were fairly successful. They ranked 13th in the league in rushing touchdowns.
Moton had another solid year. He wasn’t great, but he did his job.
And rookie Brady Christensen showed improvement over the course of the season. He’ll be a starter at either left tackle or one of the guard spots in 2022.
What went wrong?
Just about everything. Pro Football Focus gave the Panthers the second-worst offensive line grade in the NFL. They allowed 193 pressures, which was the most allowed in the league, according to Pro Football Reference. Carolina’s quarterbacks were pressured on 28.3% of their dropbacks, which was also a league worst.
It resulted in a lot of poor quarterback play. Between Darnold, Newton and P.J. Walker, the quarterbacks combined for 14 passing touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
The Panthers also had many injuries. Center Matt Paradis suffered an ACL tear on Nov. 8. Left tackle Cameron Erving dealt with a calf injury throughout the season and finished the year on injured reserve. Guard/center Pat Eflein suffered a groin injury in Week 2 and went on the short-term IR. And right guard John Miller also dealt with multiple injuries.
The Panthers went through 13 different offensive line combinations during the season. There was no consistency there, and they never found one that worked.
Under contract (10)
— T Brady Christensen
Christensen was forced to play multiple positions last season, which stunted his growth early in the year.
But he showed improvement throughout the season. He played in all 16 games and started in six in 2021. Panthers coach Matt Rhule says he views Christensen as a starter.
Whether it’ll be at guard or left tackle hasn’t been determined yet.
If the Panthers draft one of the top left tackles, then Christensen will move over to guard.
— T Taylor Moton (entering the second of a five-year, $85 million deal)
Moton remains a player the Panthers don’t have to worry about. They locked him up for the future last offseason, and he’ll start at right tackle in 2022.
He wasn’t perfect, however. While he was credited for allowing only one sack in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus, he also allowed 27 pressures, which was fourth-most on the team.
— T Cameron Erving (entering the second of a two-year, $10 million deal)
Erving struggled last season and likely will be the primary backup at both offensive tackle positions. He started the season at left tackle but finished on IR with a calf injury.
In nine games, he allowed 31 pressures in 2021, the second-most on the Panthers.
— C/G Pat Elflein (entering the second of a three-year, $13.1 million deal)
Elflein started 2021 as the starting left guard but finished as the center. With Paradis becoming a free agent, Elflein will slide to center permanently.
The Panthers signed Elflein last offseason because of his versatility and because they knew they likely wouldn’t re-sign Paradis.
— G Michael Jordan (entering the second year of a two-year, $1.5 million deal)
The Panthers claimed Jordan off waivers from the Bengals last year. He spent time on the practice squad and was cut before the Panthers eventually signed him again.
He’ll either be a backup next season or a starter, depending on what the Panthers can get in free agency. While he allowed six sacks in 11 games in 2021, the Panthers remain optimistic about the 24-year-old guard. He had some really good games and some really bad games.
— G Dennis Daley (entering the final season of his four-year, $4.6 million rookie deal)
Daley will be one of the primary backups next season. He played in 15 games and started in nine, but could never quite earn the starting role.
— G Deonte Brown (entering the second of a four-year, $3.5 million deal)
Brown played in three games last season and started the team’s season-finale. The 2021 sixth-round pick did some good things in his lone start but has a way to go as he continues to reach his target playing weight.
— C Sam Tecklenburg (entering the second of a two-year, $1.3 million deal)
Tecklenburg played in 15 games last season, mostly on special teams. He’ll likely back up Elflein next season.
He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Panthers in January.
— G Aaron Monteiro (1-year, $705,000 deal)
Monteiro signed a reserve/futures contract with the Panthers in January.
— T Austen Pleasants (1-year, $705,000 deal)
Signed a reserve/futures contract with the Panthers.
Free agents
— C Matt Paradis
There’s almost no chance the Panthers bring back Paradis. His contract expires and Carolina is moving on. He suffered an ACL tear in Week 9 of the regular season and missed the rest of the year.
— G John Miller
Miller gave up seven sacks in 2021, which was the most of any Panthers offensive lineman. Though he played through many injuries, he struggled to stay healthy. His return is unlikely.
— T Trent Scott
Scott has been used in a utility role the past two seasons for the Panthers. He could return if the price is right, but it looks unlikely at the moment.
Offseason needs
A lot will depend on how the Panthers see Christensen and what position he’ll start at. If he starts at guard, the Panthers will need to sign or draft at least one guard to compete for the starting job next season. If he starts at tackle, the Panthers will need to draft or sign at least two guards.
Offensive tackle is deep in this draft class.
Mississippi State’s Charles Cross or N.C. State’s Ikem Ekwonu seem to be the most likely options for the Panthers at No. 5 and both are considered Day 1 starters by draft experts.
Center is also a position the Panthers will consider drafting. While Elflein will likely start in 2022, he is not the long-term solution.
