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Analyzing the New OL

MHS831

By MHS831,
in Carolina Panthers

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McLovin Contributor

McLovin

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, Snake said:

Because you don't understand how a offensive line works. It's not as plug and play as you see it. LT is the most difficult position to play in the NFL and starting a guy there who has faced ACC talent isn't a great idea if you want to win games. Especially when you have a elite RT that can play LT. Not only that but you need to protect the blindside of a QB especially when that QB is a rookie or sees ghosts. This is why Jordan Gross started out at RT his first year and it wasn't a "more difficult position" for him. It allowed him to progress and build NFL skills. 

I refuse to believe you were the fastest sperm cell.

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Martin Grand Master

Martin

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I guess I shouldn’t be, but I’m surprised by people not wanting to start Ickey at LT. After searching for a starter for many many years we finally draft one, he was in consideration for first pick overall, and then we should not start him because he played in the ACC? Holy moly people. 
 

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drectors cut Rookie

drectors cut

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You don't draft a Tackle at #6 overall and stick him on the right side when you have a guy that could be an All-Pro at Right Tackle. That would be idiotic. Ickey will be the LT and really as of right now I think the only spot that is even a question is LG, where BC will probably get some reps as well as Cade Mays and some of the guys that were there last year that were terrible.

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ForJimmy Grand Master

ForJimmy

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On 5/2/2022 at 9:35 PM, Jackie Lee said:

Ickey at LG and BC at LT is probably better than the opposite. Ideally Cade or Deonte win the guard job, Ickey starts at LT and BC is a solid backup swing tackle

This makes sense if Ickey is struggling at LT his rookie year.  Looking at last year's rookies Slater seemed fine stepping in at LT, but I think Sewell played RT primarily because they had a decent LT in Decker (who was already playing that spot), so it's definitely possible.  I say he let him learn LT while Darnold is starting for the first few games.  If he catches on keep him there (hopefully) work Corral into the starting lineup.  If Ickey struggles slide him to LG for a bit and let BC play LT (as you stated).

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Mr Mojo Risin Mentor

Mr Mojo Risin

Posted
Posted
On 5/1/2022 at 9:49 PM, MHS831 said:

31st ranked OL in 2021: CAROLINA PANTHERS

LT Cam Erving | 56.0
LG Michael Jordan | 50.8
C/G Pat Elflien 50.1
RG John Miller | 52.1
RT Taylor Moton | 77.8

Carolina’s offensive line was always going to become an issue given the players they prioritized to acquire in the offseason. Taylor Moton earned a 77.8 PFF grade and was one of the better right tackles in the NFL, but he was the only one of 11 linemen to end with a grade above 67.0. John Miller and Michael Jordan, who played just 21 games combined, allowed 13 sacks from their guard spots, and three different linemen earned PFF pass-blocking grades lower than 40.0. This offensive line performance was a true case of reaping what you sow.---PFF

FWIW, Brady Christensen had a rough start and strong finish at T, but his overall PFF score was 61.6--better than 60% of the 2021 starters.  Here is what the new acquisitions look like, using PFF scores to gauge:

  • Brady Christensen 61.6 (this does not reflect the growth in 2021; BC ended the season with positive momentum)
  • Bradley Bozeman  73.3  (as center, excellent on double-team blocks)
  • Austin Corbett  68.8 (in a pass-happy offense in LA--more runs would increase rating because he is excellent at reaching second level)
  • Taylor Moton 77.8
  • Ickey Ekwonu N/A (Best run-blocking LT in college football)

Three new linemen, all good to excellent run blocking. Expect improvement from BC from his rookie year, and expect Corbett's effectiveness to increase in a run-first offense.

We added D. Foreman as a big RB, CMC should be healthy (and better protected),  And expect Tremble to be more active in the run game as a blocker. 

We had a chance to take the best pass blocking OT in the draft, the most versatile OT in the draft, or the best run blocking OT--we chose the best run-blocker.

So if you read the tea leaves, we are going to run the football more. 

We added D'Onta Foreman, a big bruising back.  CMC returns with more support.  We kept Thomas (a good blocking TE) and Tremble (a great blocking TE) will be a year older.

It makes sense.  We have a raw rookie and a bust at QB who throws a lot of pics.  putting the ball in CMC's hands and taking it from the QB is smart.  If the D plays well, we should stay in games.

 

 

 

Add Cam Newton and you have one of the best running teams in the entire NFL.

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      Explicating the Panthers' Defensiveness

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      It is time to take a look at the defense.  Without further ado do.... Edge (OLB):  I think we overpaid for Jaelan Phillips, but he is constant pressure with 73 pressures in 2025, ranking 9th in the NFL.  In all, he was the 20th (of 111) rated pass rushing edge in 2025 according to PFF, putting him in the top 20% in the nfl.  With a pair of solid ILBs beside him and if we can get Wharton going, I think the sum of the parts will make him better than he was in Philly.  Furthermore, with second-year pro Princely Umanmielen behind him, I expect him to grow with the tutoring and competition. On the other side, the duo of Nick Scourton and Patrick Jones II is strong, in my view.  Scourton generated 34 total pressures as a pass rusher. That total included 8 sacks, 23 hurries, 3 hits. Against the run, he recorded 28 solo tackles. For a rookie, second round, edge, that is great.  He also forced 1 fumble on the season. Jones was decent in 2025 in just 131 snaps, but he is solid veteran depth.   We seem to lack the elite pass rusher, but this rotational unit will be a big upgrade over last season.  Expect Scourton and Princely to show improvement. While it is unlikely that we add more to edge this draft, you can never have too many pass rushers (well, you can--two sophomores and two veterans is a good mix). Would the Panthers take an edge if one was sitting there? Absolutely. Defensive End:  Derrick Brown is a stud.  I did not notice how dominant he became as a pass rusher.  His PFF pass-rush grade of 72.0 ranked 23rd among 134 qualified interior defensive linemans. His run-defense grade of 66.3 ranked 22nd at the position. He generated 35 total pressures as a pass rusher. That total included 6 sacks, 23 hurries, 6 hits. On the other side:  What the hell?  Tershawn Wharton earned a 40.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 127th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemans. His PFF pass-rush grade of 57.0 ranked 95th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen. His run-defense grade of 34.8 ranked 125th at the position. However, Wharton needs to be situational and we really need a few DEs who can plug and pressure.  LaBryan Ray is an interior defensive lineman for the Carolina Panthers who earned a 45.7 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season.  You cannot tell me that we are not going to add a DE.  In my view, this is a HUGE need that we have not adequately addressed.  There were only 3 DEs in the NFL who played more snaps that Derrick Brown.  We have to give him more blows during the game.  So After Brown, we have 2 other players who need to improve a lot to reach mediocre. Nose Tackle:  Of course, a NT might move out some to help stuff the run at DE opposite Brown, and stats do not always reflect on a NT's actual value.  Bobby Brown III earned a 54.1 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 80th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen.  His PFF pass-rush grade of 51.1 ranked 126th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemans. His run-defense grade of 57.8 ranked 51st at the position.   Behind him, Cam'Ron Jackson is an  earned a 45.5 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season.   The defensive line is weak, based on 2025 performance rankings in PFF.  After DBrown, they pretty much suck.  These are the guys our ILBs will be counting on. Inside Linebacker:  Devin Lloyd earned a 89.1 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 3rd among 88 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 81.1 ranked 3rd among 88 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 83.2 ranked 11th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 82.2 ranked 5th among qualified linebackers.  He's good.  At the moment, beside him is Trevin Wallace  who earned a 55.9 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 57th among 88 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 64.5 ranked 25th among 88 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 42.3 ranked 85th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 64.2 ranked 45th among qualified linebackers.  Wallace was best as a coverage LB, and based on my memory, I am not sure he was in the top third, but if PFF says so...however, he was nearly last vs. the run.  We need better to play beside Lloyd.  Bam Morris-Scott earned a 37.6 overall PFF defensive grade. To put that in perspective, I was rated by PFF at 32.3 on my couch.   Cherilus Claudin is the third best ILB on the roster right now. He earned a 59.2 overall PFF defensive grade in just over 200 snaps.  Having lost Rozeboom, the Panthers are very thin behind Lloyd.  Look for a starting-caliber ILB in the draft.  Wallace is not the guy, but he is decent depth. Nickel CB:  Chau Smith-Wade  earned a 57.0 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 79th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His PFF coverage grade of 57.2 ranked 79th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 55.4 ranked 77th at the position.  For a nickel, he played a lot--garnering over 600 snaps.  Corey Thornton was a pleasant surprise, until he was injured.  However, in just 127 snaps, he was very good, earning a 68.5 overall PFF defensive grade.  I think he can play outside in a pinch, but nickel might be his gig.  I am not sold that Nickel is in good hands, but Thornton is promising.  Smith-Wade is average, and with the experience he has accumulated, we are probably not prioritizing Nickel, but there are some good nickels in the draft. Cornerback:  Michael Jackson should have been in the pro bowl.  He earned a 79.1 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 4th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His PFF coverage grade of 80.9 ranked 3rd among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 67.2 ranked 36th at the position. He recorded 4 interceptions on the season. Jackson broke up 9 passes in coverage. He allowed a 72.9 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks --SOLID!!  Our second-best CB, Jaycee Horn, was in the pro bowl.  He earned a 57.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 76th among 114 qualified corner.backs. His PFF coverage grade of 61.6 ranked 61st among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 50.5 ranked 87th at the position.  He recorded 5 interceptions on the season.  Our CBs had NINE interceptions in 2025.  It is doubtful they duplicate that figure, but Jackson was our best CB.   We are thin at CB, but the two we put out there are solid.  Nickel, at this time, is "meh," but both are developing and should improve.  A great draft for Nickel.  The Panthers will add a CB somehow. Safety:  For now, Trevon Moehrig is as advertised--above average vs. the run, below average in coverage, making him average. He earned a 64.3 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 50th among 98 qualified safeties. His PFF coverage grade of 55.3 ranked 64th among 98 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 73.5 ranked 37th at the position.  Lathan Ransom got some valuable experience in 2025, getting in on 330 plays or so.  He earned a 62.9 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 56th among 98 qualified safeties.  (Average, not bad for a day 3 rookie) His PFF coverage grade of 55.8 ranked 63rd among 98 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 85.1 ranked 4th at the position.  A pure strong safety, if you ask me.  Nick Scott  earned a 67.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 36th among 98 qualified safeties. His PFF coverage grade of 67.3 ranked 31st among 98 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 69.3 ranked 56th at the position.  Expect a draft pick at FS.  Demani Richardson is a safety for the Carolina Panthers who earned a 71.5 overall PFF defensive grade n 29 plays.  Nothing to see here.  Isaiah Simmons is probably more special teams than defensive player.   Overall:  We are thin on defense.  No real depth at CB, S, and DE/NT.  However, we have 5 starters who are pro bowl level players (D. Brown, Lloyd, Jackson, Horn, and Phillips--and I might throw Scourton in on that pile for the sixth potential pro bowler).  We are weak at NT, and if Wharton does not step up, DE.  Funny, I see Edge as our strength (and we really don't have a sack artist) and I love our starting CBs.  Moehrig is making too much to be average.   Expect:  In the draft, I think we have to draft a DT.  Having done this, I am not sure that we go after a S when we have such glaring needs at other positions.  We could upgrade at nickel and give the CB room more depth.  OLB?  Wallace is decent depth, and he could start in a pinch.   DE is our biggest need.  The answer could be on the roster?            
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