Statistical reasons to Scratch Ickey from returning as a LT--Even in 2027

[raleigh-panther]

On 1/31/2026 at 8:05 AM, MHS831 said:

I see your view, but the fact that the time of recovery is straddling a contract makes it interesting/complicated.  Those other OL in this report are older players...but I would not want to be Morgan.  I would base my decisions on the statistical probabilities.  I would move him to guard--I would have considered it anyway if a better OT came our way.

Sometimes, a franchise has to cut bait and move on

icky is serviceable but he has flaws  

this isn’t a guard or a linebacker, or a safety

it is a blind side protector of a very tiny qb

Too. Moton is also getting older and he missed some games or parts of games this year   As that knee wears down, we know the end of that story 

and Christiansen is coming off an Achilles injury 

All of this means, we have one clear swing tackle in Yosh, and doubt he is an every down player and if he goes down, then what ?  

if I’m the Panthers, I go best available tackle in rd 1 or 2 and pick up free agents for backups 

keep the strengths strong    It isn’t like the team has Josh Allen behind that line either 

 

[raleigh-panther]

On 2/1/2026 at 9:35 AM, Panthero said:

Based on these numbers, Id cut the guy if you can avoid paying him 17 million for a 5th year.

Exactly right 

[flagfootballcoach28]

I’d love for us to take a hard look at ASU’s LT Max Iheanachor. He dominated Senior Bowl practice and the game. 

[Johnstonny]

6 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Whether or not this is true, it is how we have to approach it.  he is like the girlfriend who said, "I need some space for a while."  A while?  She is GONE, buddy.  Deal with the loss and move on.  Give yourself a moment of silence and lick your wounds and get back on the dating sites.  (Sniff, Sniff)

Yuuuup.

[Lame Duck]

On 1/31/2026 at 11:02 AM, Panthera onca said:

The stats certainly aren’t good for returning to play at all, much less the same level. I just have this feeling the Icky will be one of the guys who return as good as ever and serves as a beacon of hope for others with this injury. His work ethic and drive to succeed will demand it from him.

He most definitely will!

but for someone else 

Edited 18 hours ago by Lame Duck

[raleigh-panther]

It is hard to argue what the Panthers need…and of,course, the scouts and Morgan, Tillis look several years ahead

To me, offensive tackle is huge 

they are very expensive, hard to find 

Moton’s contract will also become problematic in 2027…not sure he will make it to 2027 in any case 

a rookie contract for OT could make all things better from a dependability, flexibility, depth, and cost perspective 

[MHS831]

I think (April 2025) the Panthers already gave Ickey his 5th year deal for 2026, a $17m fully guaranteed.  This, in my view, eliminates the practicality of signing a free agent, as if any ever make it to free agency anyway.  So we have a year before deciding on Ickey's next deal / future. 

 

[MHS831]

44 minutes ago, raleigh-panther said:

It is hard to argue what the Panthers need…and of,course, the scouts and Morgan, Tillis look several years ahead

To me, offensive tackle is huge 

they are very expensive, hard to find 

Moton’s contract will also become problematic in 2027…not sure he will make it to 2027 in any case 

a rookie contract for OT could make all things better from a dependability, flexibility, depth, and cost perspective 

We could/should re-sign BC and Nijman and draft 2. 

There are 5 or 6 expected to go after round 1 that I really like.   Some are a year away, so I would give Moton an apprentice now.

[MHS831]

23 hours ago, flagfootballcoach28 said:

I’d love for us to take a hard look at ASU’s LT Max Iheanachor. He dominated Senior Bowl practice and the game. 

I agree.  He is solid.

Another player I think is underrated and with good reason (I will explain):

Monroe Freeling UGA Many have him the fifth-rated OT, but I would put him at 2 or 3.  Reason?  He played the season with an ankle issue and still kicked arse.  Here is a write-up that describes him--the injury, in my view, has him rated lower than if healthy all season.

OT Monroe Freeling

Georgia | 6'7" | 315 lbs

Ht:6'7"

Wt:315 lbs

Class:JR

Age:21 (25-Jul-2004)

Monroe Freeling earned Second-Team All-SEC honors from league coaches for his performance during the 2025 season. Starting 12 of 13 games, he was twice named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after dominant showings against Auburn and Texas, notably grading out at 80 percent with zero pressures allowed against the Longhorns. During the 2025 season, he managed a nagging ankle injury suffered against Kentucky but remained a cornerstone for an offense that ranked first nationally in fourth-down conversions. As a draft prospect, he is recognized for his exceptional reach, mobility in pass protection, and "road-grading" power in the running game. While he has proven to be a reliable starter at left tackle, he also offers significant versatility having started at multiple positions along the line during the 2024 season.

Here are some others I like (mostly developmental, but we have at least a year--we hope--at RT)  

Your boy:

The Panthers were looking at Barber at the SR Bowl practices, I believe.  Good run blocker--needs work in pass pro.  A RT candidate?

Shelton would be an ideal swing OT.

I really like Bowry.  Footwork is huge for a T, and we do a lot of zone blocking.  

[MHS831]

On 2/2/2026 at 12:34 PM, raleigh-panther said:

Sometimes, a franchise has to cut bait and move on

icky is serviceable but he has flaws  

this isn’t a guard or a linebacker, or a safety

it is a blind side protector of a very tiny qb

Too. Moton is also getting older and he missed some games or parts of games this year   As that knee wears down, we know the end of that story 

and Christiansen is coming off an Achilles injury 

All of this means, we have one clear swing tackle in Yosh, and doubt he is an every down player and if he goes down, then what ?  

if I’m the Panthers, I go best available tackle in rd 1 or 2 and pick up free agents for backups 

keep the strengths strong    It isn’t like the team has Josh Allen behind that line either 

 

I really really like the developmental OTs to start grooming as Moton II.  (See previous post).  In other words, you are probably right--BC could be slowed and Nijman is not an answer.  We probably need a T in free agency.  the depth at Edge (especially after the SR Bowl) makes me think we draft an OT early.

The OT I want (being realistic--after a trade back in round 1):  Monroe Freeling (UGA).  Forget the "big 4"--at least 3 will be gone.

 

 

 

[raleigh-panther]

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

We could/should re-sign BC and Nijman and draft 2. 

There are 5 or 6 expected to go after round 1 that I really like.   Some are a year away, so I would give Moton an apprentice now.

i agree with you 

I like Brady. Always have

but coming off an Achilles is no walk in the park 

they need reliable, available, teachable 

it doesnt have to be top 10 or top 15   Just steady and predictable 

[Swaggasaurus]

33 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I really really like the developmental OTs to start grooming as Moton II.  (See previous post).  In other words, you are probably right--BC could be slowed and Nijman is not an answer.  We probably need a T in free agency.  the depth at Edge (especially after the SR Bowl) makes me think we draft an OT early.

The OT I want (being realistic--after a trade back in round 1):  Monroe Freeling (UGA).  Forget the "big 4"--at least 3 will be gone.

 

 

 

I doubt you trade back and get Freeling. These draft boards are largely built during the season. Not many expected Freeling to come out and he only has 16 starts. Tons of buzz this week and is only going to skyrocket from here. Once these ranking get finalized after the combine and PRO days I think he’s the 3rd OT picked after Mauigoa and Fano, may even supplant Fano.