Round 4 - The Carolina Panthers Select Chandler Zavala - G - North Carolina State

[Tbe]

Just now, Carolina Cajun said:

We did a lot of research on ickey last off-season, wouldn't be surprised if this guy jumped off the tape and surprised them and was the reason he got targeted.

Starting to be a pattern with Scott and the scouts.

[jayboogieman]

Something to add over BOA?

[kass]

1 minute ago, The Huddler said:

BC is a damn good LG

Think he and Ickey had 20+ flags last season. Something like 10-11 each. Don't know who's fault, if Ickey as a rookie just struggled sometimes amd it affected  Brady C or vice versa, maybe their chemistry? But it needs to be fixed. 

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

Just now, kass said:

Think he and Ickey had 20+ flags last season. Something like 10-11 each. Don't know who's fault, if Ickey as a rookie just struggled sometimes amd it affected  Brady C or vice versa, maybe their chemistry? But it needs to be fixed. 

It can definitely make a difference.  God help me even Byron Bell looked like a borderline NFL player when Andrew Norwell finally got a few starts next to him in 2014.

[jayboogieman]

 

[Shocker]

Brugler had him as a 3rd rounder

[KillerKat]

probably the best draft profile Ive seen of him:
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10069853-chandler-zavala-nfl-draft-2023-scouting-report-for-north-carolina-state-iol

 

POSITIVES

— Wide-bodied frame with good play strength to cover up first-level defenders, hold the point and create lateral displacement on angle-drive and combo blocks before working his body into positions to cut off, seal and create alleys.

— Creates sudden jolt at the point of attack to halt movement, with enough core strength to brace and set a firm anchor once he establishes first meaningful contact.

— Does a solid job setting inside-out on rushers to force them outside and not overset against inside counters.

— Maintains levels with proper spacing and timing passing off and picking up basic line games and stunts.

— Adequate big-man balance to square up, engulf and wall off linebacker run-throughs when engaged and uncovered.

NEGATIVES

— Below-average use of hands and strike timing, which results in him being late and off-target with his punch.

— Takes inconsistent angles to targets when on the move and is tardy coming to balance in space, resulting in an unreliable hit rate as a puller and on screens.

— Struggles adjusting his aiming points and maintaining his posture against sudden post-snap movement across his face from gap exchanges, leading to him getting overextended.

OVERALL

Chandler Zavala is a two-year starter inside NC State's balanced, wide/tight zone-based run scheme. All 17 of his starts came at left guard, including 12 last season. Zavala has a wide-bodied frame and a thick, all-around build with solid length and athletic ability.

Zavala is most effective in the run game, where he creates lateral displacement and walls off interior run defenders on tight zone base blocks and wide zone combo blocks. He isn't overly powerful, but he has good upper-body strength and contact balance to establish quick control before straining and sealing off rushing lanes.

Zavala struggles to adjust his aiming points post-snap to track and connect on post-snap movement, which leaves him overextended. He takes inconsistent angles to targets when on the move and is tardy coming to balance in space, which results in an unreliable hit rate as a puller and on screens.

Zavala has good footwork and body positioning in pass protection to stay inside-out and square up tight 3- and 2i-techniques with a quick, firm anchor to brace, redirect force up and halt movement. He has a strong clench and grip strength once latched, but his timing and location tends to arrive late and down the middle, which create soft edges against well-timed swipes and chops from wider alignments (Ex: vs. Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro). Zavala does a nice job maintaining levels with proper spacing, timing and recognition of basic line games and stunts while providing thump on adjacent rushers when uncovered.

Overall, Zavala is an older guard prospect who needs technical refinement on his hand use and angles on the move. But he has a stout, wide-bodied frame and build with starter-level play strength, a quick anchor and good spatial awareness, all of which should allow him to earn a backup guard role with starting potential within his first contract.

---

GRADE: 7.0 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter)

OVERALL RANK: 83

POSITION RANK: IOL8

PRO COMPARISON: Kevin Dotson

 

[mrcompletely11]

1 minute ago, jayboogieman said:

 

This honestly feels surreal to have a front office that wants to do everything it can to help the qb. 

[jayboogieman]

This isn't just applicable to Zavala, but it's nice to see the Panthers finally getting guys from the local schools.

[SOJA]

For all my Destiny fans out there we have drafted Zavala too, a lovely tribute 

[WUnderhill]

14 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I was curious so i took a quick look back...

This is Fitterer's third draft. In both of the previous ones, we took two offensive linemen 

And our OL is finally in a good place. Amazing what a difference it makes.

[Icege]

I love how this draft seems to be centered around the long term health of the offense.

[Black&BlueBubba]

I know Reich loved to pull guards at Indy.  This guy is supposed to move well.  
 

My boy plays rugby for a nationally ranked team.  Rugby is big with the Islanders.  What I love about them is their mobility combined with strength.  Not sure if it’s genetics or what but they they all are strong, tough, and can move really well.    
 

He may be my new favorite.  Really rooting for him.  

[Wolfcop]

Love this pick and not just because he is a Wolfpack player. Have to keep Bryce protected.