Over the next couple weeks I will conduct a roster analysis of the key positions where I expect the Panthers to make changes this off-season. In my view the most pressing need is the offensive line, particularly the tackle position. The sense of urgency comes from the fact both starting tackles are free agents and the Panthers lack depth at the position given one or both could be leaving. The good news is the coming draft has several blue chip tackles that should be available to the Panthers in the first round if they go in that direction.

Offensive Tackle

Starter: Jordan Gross – Jordan Gross has spent his entire 5 year career with the Panthers and has started every game since being drafted in the 1st round in 2003.Gross is currently an unrestricted free agent so the Panther organization has a decision to make in terms of the amount of money and the length of a possible contract for Gross. They have to balance that against potential offers he could receive from other teams. He is considered one of the top three free agent tackles on the market so he is sure to garner large tenders if he hits the market.

Gross had arguably his best season in 2007 as he only gave up one sack all season. Another positive is Gross has never missed a game due to injury so he a very durable player at a very demanding position. Gross is also versatile and can play either tackle position as demonstrated by his move to left tackle in the 2006 season when Travelle Wharton was injured. Though Gross has never made the Pro Bowl he often plays at a Pro Bowl level and could very well make the Pro Bowl in seasons to come.

I think it’s a no-brainer the Panthers will do what it takes to resign him if it is at all possible. This is one of the trickiest situations the Panthers will face this off-season and they need to get it right. Gross is the anchor of the line and hopefully he will continue to play right tackle for many more years.

Starter: Travelle Wharton – Wharton has also spent his entire four year career with the Panthers since being drafted in the 3rd round in 2004. Wharton is another free agent who the Panthers will have to decide whether they can afford to keep him. If the Panthers let him walk in free agency, a risky proposition, they you can almost be certain the Panthers will draft a left tackle in the 1st or 2nd round of the upcoming draft. There should be several good ones available at the #13 slot.

When not injured he has been the starter at left tackle since game 6 of his rookie year when Tutan Reyes went down with an injury. He has good size at 6’4" but isn’t quite as big (312lbs) as most left tackles in the league. Wharton has been a serviceable tackle but has yet to show Pro Bowl form. It was Wharton who got beat by Falcons DE John Abraham when he laid the hit that knocked Jake out for the season. Given the obvious importance QB Jake Delhomme is to the Panthers fortunes next season the Panthers may choose to draft a replacement.

Back-up: Frank Omiyale – Omiyale was drafted in the 5th round by the Falcons three years ago but has very little playing experience. The Panthers claimed him off waivers at the beginning of last season and he rode the bench the entire season. It’s safe to say the Panthers will not be expecting him to provide significant minutes in the coming season though he may develop over time. Obviously somebody sees something in him or he wouldn’t still be on the team.

Back-up: Evan Mathis – Mathis is listed as a guard on the roster but he filled in at right tackle for 15 games in the 2006 season when Jordan Gross moved over to the left side. Mathis was immediately moved back to the bench in 2007 and only saw action on special teams. Though he has only played three years I think its safe to say we have seen the best of Evan Mathis. He does not have the strength or the footwork to handle most of the DT’s in the league. I was surprised he didn’t get cut last season. He may yet remain with the team this season simply because he is versatile enough to play both guard and tackle.

Even if the Panthers keep both starting tackles you can expect them to add one or two more through free agency or the draft given how thin they are behind the starters.