Keep or Cut: OG Keydrick Vincent

The Panthers have a few of these decisions this offseason and this will probably be one of the harder ones. Once the Panthers two injured tackles return, Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah, fill-in Travelle Wharton can move back to LG sending the up and coming Mackenzy Bernadeau to the bench.

So should the Panthers save some money and cut Vincent and move Bernadeau to RG? Let's look at some stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus (thanks Bigdavis). PFF has Wharton the highest ranking Panthers OG at +2.2, who grades better at pass blocking than run blocking. 

Vincent's potential replacement though is located way down the list just above Vincent, like right above him. Vincent grades a -17.4 yet Bernadeau scores only a -16.5. Yet there strengths are polor opposites. Vincent is the better run blocker at -8.2 versus a -15.8 for Bernadeau. Bernadeau grades much higher though in pass blocking (-1.2 vs. -4.7). given the RG is mainly a run blocker the stats would suggest we keep Vincent.

So another option is move Wharton to RG and let Bernadeau remain at LG. Neither arrangement excites me but at least we get some younger blood on the line. But what about our depth? That leaves the rookie Duke Robinson as the lone back-up at OG. As much potential as the young Robinson may have the Panthers will give him another season to mature. So if we cut bait with Vincent they will have to find another FA to replace him. How much money would they really save simply to hope the new guy can pick up the system quickly. If there is one thing we know about our line is that at some point our back-ups will have to play.

There is one other option and that is practice squad Brian De La Puente. This 2nd year player out of Cal seems on the light side at 308lb to fill in at RG given the Panthers prefer jumbo OGs. 

What are the other options Panther fans? So keep or cut?