Ye Evolution of the OL has Begunst

[MHS831]

If this draft pans out and in 2 years we have a third rounder, a sixth rounder, and possibly an undrafted free agent playing key roles, that is a coup. Not only was Fitterer trying to find the best free agents and draft picks, he had to be doing so with the idea of re-signing Moton. With DJ Moore, Anderson (Possibly), Darnold, Burns, etc. salaries on the horizon, he has some tough calls to make down the road.  For example, Moton reportedly wants LT money.  Have the Panthers positioned themselves to accommodate that cost?  That loss? Some will say, “But MHS, we are going to have more cap room!!!  Frugal GMs that make wise decisions win rings—not big spenders with daddy’s credit card.

  Taking a look at the roster, you can see the players below (not bolded) who are probably not going to be on the roster in 2022.  The only bolded player who could be a free agent in 2022 is Moton, and the rest of the bolded players are signed on reasonable contracts through at least 2023 (at least for 2 more seasons). 

I wonder if this move gives us more than depth—it gives us options. 

With that in mind, getting these 3 rookies playing is going to be important even if we do not lock down Moton by July. 

·        C Matt Paradis’ final season as a starter is probably 2021. He is 32 and has a voidable contract after 2021, but it would create $4+m in dead cap for 2022 and 2023, the way I understand it.

 

·        RG John Miller’s final season on his contract is 2021.  He will be 29.

 

·        OT Trenton Scott’s final season on his contract is 2021.  He will be 28.

 

·         Rookie Contract: OT Greg Little for the 2021 season (he will be cut in 2022 unless he is cut now--we will probably carry 10 OL, and this list has 11…)

 

·        OT Taylor Moton’s final season is 2021.  He is 27.  Expect him to get a contract for 4 years.

 

·        Signed LG/C Elflein for 3 years, through 2023. 

 

·        Signed OL Irving for 2 years, through 2022.

 

·        Rookie Contract:  LG/OT Dennis Daley through the 2022 season.

 

·        Rookie Contract:  OT Brady Christenson (2/3 round value) to play LT-through 2024.

 

·        We drafted OG Deonte Brown (4th round value) to play RG through 2024.

 

·        We signed SR BOWL OG/C Dave Moore (5^th round value) to play IOL through 2024.

 

So looking at the group that is guaranteed to be here for the next 2 seasons, IF NO OTHER PLAYERS ARE ADDED AND WE DECIDE THAT MOTON WANTS TOO MUCH $$$,  you STILL have a potentially-effective OL:

 

·        LT Christensen

 

·        LG Elflein (Daley)

 

·        C Moore (Elflein)

 

·        RG Brown

 

·        RT Irving (Daley)

 

It is my opinion that we will re-sign Moton for about $18m per season for 5 years, and Christensen develops into a serviceable lineman—hopefully a LT.  I see a day when Elflien is given a shot at C, and Moore and Brown are given guard duties.

 

So if you kept hearing, “We are building the OL, I guess you can say that we drafted 3 players after the second round that can all be starting in a year or two.  That is all you ask for.

 

Just trying to keep some fresh perspective on the Huddle folks.  Not trying to be an expert, but I am not interested in the fact that Juston Burris is considering changing his shoe size or that the Boston Celtics offered us a future pick to move up for a guard.  This is real, and you can almost see the plan unfolding.

 

Edited May 8, 2021 by MHS831

[Smittymoose]

The Panthers are going to give Moton like the 4th or 5th biggest OL deal in history? Gosh, I hope not. He’s good, but not that level of elite. They should let him walk if that’s the asking price. 

[MHS831]

3 minutes ago, Smittymoose said:

The Panthers are going to give Moton like the 4th or 5th biggest OL deal in history? Gosh, I hope not. He’s good, but not that level of elite. They should let him walk if that’s the asking price. 

I am scared they will.  He want elite LT money.  And if so, they let him walk.  I always estimate on the high side, however, so maybe his demands are just a negotiation tactic. Nobody should negotiate in 2020-21 if they could get tagged.

Edited May 8, 2021 by MHS831

[TheRumGone]

I’d rather pay an LT then an RT but the reality is Moton is the only good known we have right now. Which is why I thought drafting an RT might have been a good move for us. Use moton money to target a vet FA LT next year and let the 2nd year RT start.

[panthers55]

The whole idea that left tackle is more valuable than right tackle is old fashioned thinking borne of past practices not current reality. Right tackle is just as important than left tackle. Many of the top rushers play against the right offensive tackle not the left. Von Miller, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack among others all rush from the left or right. The distinction is passe. Moton knows that and wants to change the narrative. And he is worth every penny.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.si.com/.amp/nfl/2017/05/31/nfl-left-tackles-michael-lewis-blindside-right-tackles-left-defensive-ends

[Peon Awesome]

Moton isn't the type of player you gamble with. He's young, skilled, healthy and plays a key position. Even if we spend a couple million more than we want, the loss of Moton would be harder to recover from than whoever we might have signed for the $2 million or per year so we might be apart on in contract negotiations. Drafting Christensen doesn't suddenly make Moton expendable. And Erving has been a liability at tackle whenever he's been asked to start. He functions better as a swing tackle for depth.

Our offensive line situation has been a major question mark for years. Resigning Moton gives us the opportunity to have a very solid outlook for the next few years if Christensen can grow into the LT role. And if he can't, then we will need Moton even more

[Moo Daeng]

I don't get the impression Moton really wants to be here. 

Edited May 8, 2021 by Moo Daeng

[X-Clown on 1]

[Smittymoose]

11 minutes ago, Peon Awesome said:

Moton isn't the type of player you gamble with. He's young, skilled, healthy and plays a key position. Even if we spend a couple million more than we want, the loss of Moton would be harder to recover from than whoever we might have signed for the $2 million or per year so we might be apart on in contract negotiations. Drafting Christensen doesn't suddenly make Moton expendable. And Erving has been a liability at tackle whenever he's been asked to start. He functions better as a swing tackle for depth.

Our offensive line situation has been a major question mark for years. Resigning Moton gives us the opportunity to have a very solid outlook for the next few years if Christensen can grow into the LT role. And if he can't, then we will need Moton even more

Overpaying people to stay because we can’t risk losing them? Marty, is that you? 

[Ja Rhule]

Moton bought his parents a house in Indian Land so I’m sure he’d want to stay with the Panthers.

[Snake]

19 minutes ago, Peon Awesome said:

Moton isn't the type of player you gamble with. He's young, skilled, healthy and plays a key position. Even if we spend a couple million more than we want, the loss of Moton would be harder to recover from than whoever we might have signed for the $2 million or per year so we might be apart on in contract negotiations. Drafting Christensen doesn't suddenly make Moton expendable. And Erving has been a liability at tackle whenever he's been asked to start. He functions better as a swing tackle for depth.

Our offensive line situation has been a major question mark for years. Resigning Moton gives us the opportunity to have a very solid outlook for the next few years if Christensen can grow into the LT role. And if he can't, then we will need Moton even more

We have a ton of cap space next year but a good chunk will be paid to Moore and Moton. Anderson will need a contract too if we plan to keep him but if everything pans out we might let him walk. LT spot is definitely going to be interesting and hopefully Christensen can take the spot over by years end like you have said.

[BlitzMonster]

What about Trent Scott ?  He did OK as a fill-in when Okung went down.  He was poached from the Chargers under the advice of our OL coach Pat Meyer (who previously coached him in LA).  

As an UDFA I love that fact that he's continued to get better over the years. 

 

[Happy Panther]

Yeah pay Moton. Should be an easy decision.

[CPF4LIFE]

They need to pay moton, he is a top tackle in the league..no just a right tackle but a TOP tackle and the only sure thing they have on that line at the moment.