Between their disappointing 0-2 start and the benching of last year’s No. 1 overall pick, the Carolina Panthers haven’t given fans much reason to smile to start the 2024 campaign. But there may just be one thing in Charlotte worth celebrating.
The hog mollies have flown under the radar in the first two weeks of the season. A major point of emphasis during the spring, the retooled offensive line is churning out some of the best numbers in the NFL thus far.
According to Pro Football Focus, it’s Austin Corbett who’s leading all players at his position in pass protection. The guard-turned-center has yet to relinquish a single pressure and currently has an 83.5 pass-blocking grade—the highest at the spot.
Robert Hunt, Corbett’s reason for his transition to the middle, has been getting some work in as well. The $100 million man is earning his huge deal to this point, ranking second amongst all guards with an 86.0 pass-blocking mark.
Fellow free-agent signee and guard Damien Lewis isn’t too shabby either, ranking 16th in the category with a 76.6 grade.
While both tackles for the Panthers fall a bit behind their interior, they have still been solid. Right tackle Taylor Moton, in particular, grades out as the 15th-best offensive tackle in pass protection (77.6).
So even though the offense as a whole has been hindered by suboptimal quarterback play, one could point to this offensive line as a reason to still have hope for the group. And with a more functional quarterback under center, perhaps the team can actually find its first win (and smiles) of the season.
