Has Cade Mays proved to be our starting center, or do we look for another?

[Matthias]

I say this because a potential probowl center could be on the market to make our O-line a fab five.  I'm speaking of Ryan Kelly of the Colts.  He is a four time probowler at the position, and has lead the way for Jonathan Taylor's success in Indianapolis.  The down sides of acquiring him is he's coming off an injury season (but he did finish the year strong), he's a veteran who is currently 31 (not too bad for a trench guy), and could want good money from the center position. (Particularly if coming to Carolina who aren't seen as a contending team as of yet).

All that said, I like how Cade Mays played at the position, but the question is will he continue to progress into a top center?  I'm looking at the dynamics on our line and this is the first time I've seen probowl qualities at every position left to right.  The only question mark perhaps is the center position.  What say y'all?

[Jon Snow]

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Now getting a rookie to sit and learn for a year is definitely on the table.

[woahfraze]

We’ve invested enough money in the offensive line to justify a top or market free agent contract. The end of the year showed us that we have a unit that has developed good chemistry and can be really effective in both run blocking and pass protection.  From a needs and capital allocation perspective, it makes much more sense to invest in the defense and another playmaker on offense. The offensive line should not be ignored this offseason, but the focus here should be to maintain/build depth in the position group rather than bring in a new starter. 

[LinvilleGorge]

I think he's played plenty well enough sandwiched between great guards. With the hard salary cap you're never going to have a roster of All Pros. You have to pick and choose where to spend your cap and we already have a ton of it spent on the interior OL with our two recent big money guards. We kinda have to shop on a budget at center and Mays has shown he's up to the job.

The other thing is that Mays is still pretty inexperienced at center. He should still have considerable room for growth.

[Mr. Scot]

I've been pining for the next Ryan Kalil for several years now. Seeing us pass on Zach Frazier didn't help. 

My gut still wants to see a young center drafted but I do think Cade Mays has done well in the role. Some may like Brady Christensen better but I've always preferred him as our utility guy.

Austin Corbett has said that he wants to stay in Carolina. If he does, I kinda hope it's not at center. I don't really think that was the best spot for him.

His injury issues might make that decision for him, though

Edited January 8 by Mr. Scot

[LinvilleGorge]

Keep in mind, Mays is only 26 and just wrapped up his third NFL season. Not like we're talking about some aging vet on his last legs.

[Jay Roosevelt]

I think you can comfortably go into 2025 with him penciled in as the starting center, but we should also keep an eye out in the draft for a good mid-round center.

[MHS831]

If you don't realize what a great job Mays did, you don't watch OL play.  He was better than Corbett, he beat out BC when Corbett was injured--and Mays had been playing G as well as C--yes, it helps being between two stud Gs, but his pass blocking was very good. Overall grade,  PFF--Lewis 72, Hunt 67, Mays 66.   Pass blocking?  Mays ranked higher than Lewis and Hunt. 

Compared to Corbett:

• Overall:  Mays 66.1; Corbett 62.9
• Pass Blocking:  Mays 74.9; Corbett 66.8
• Run Blocking:  Mays 66.9; Corbett 59.3
• Salary:  Corbett $10m; Mays $711K (RFA entering 2025).

Mays may have contributed to Bryce's turnaround more than anyone else--

Mays will improve when he learns better technique and gets familiar with just 1 job.  He is 25.  

Let's not create problems that do not exist.

 

[Matthias]

I hear everyone, but in the back of my mind I am thinking Cade Mays is a young guy who is getting more experience.  I'm wondering, just how good will he be as time progress?  Will he be a little better, or will he take off?  Is it possible he might regress?

The best strategy I agree would be to draft a guy in the later rounds for insurance.  However if the price was right for Ryan Kelly, it would be hard to turn down the opportunity for a 100% solid line across the board for both Young and Hubbard.  I'm greedy for the possibilities.  Though if it meant preventing us from signing solid defensive talent in free agency, or maybe a Tee Higgins on offense, I wouldn't go for Kelly.

[Jon Snow]

2 minutes ago, Matthias said:

I hear everyone, but in the back of my mind I am thinking Cade Mays is a young guy who is getting more experience.  I'm wondering, just how good will he be as time progress?  Will he be a little better, or will he take off?  Is it possible he might regress?

The best strategy I agree would be to draft a guy in the later rounds for insurance.  However if the price was right for Ryan Kelly, it would be hard to turn down the opportunity for a 100% solid line across the board for both Young and Hubbard.  I'm greedy for the possibilities.  Though if it meant preventing us from signing solid defensive talent in free agency, or maybe a Tee Higgins on offense, I wouldn't go for Kelly.

They can't afford to go FA for everything. This team will have to draft their way out of this mess and all future starters will have to come from the draft. Any starters signed in FA on a 2 year or less contract are only place holders for a draft pick. I get wanting a sure thing upgrade but he's on the wrong side of 25 by a mile.

[jb2288]

No we have enough invested in the OL and need to pay Icky. Cade has played well enough where it’s worth a little less play to have a rookie contract and not someone who is 31. Spend all our money on defense 

[rodeo]

We should draft one in the late rounds, but it feels good for OL to not be an emergency need going into an offseason for once.

[outlaw4]

At this juncture, I'm leery of bringing in any more Uglies over 30. Too much money and risk of injuries is a lot higher. I have some issues with Mays and I would really like to strengthen the interior but I feel any potential alternative should be via the draft.

That said, I would prioritize drafting an eventual replacement for Moton over a center. 

[countryboi]

He was our best center and the cheapest, this is a no brainer. you could draft a guy for depth but this is easy