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Is Carolina Interested In This Alabama OT?

With the draft still three weeks away and counting plus with the news of prospect meetings still coming in daily, Carolina has once again worked out a first round caliber talent that this team so desperately needs. Carolina needs offensive line help and maybe this is their guy?

Cyrus Kouandjio is the massive 6' 7" 327 lbs. left tackle from the University of Alabama. Now here on CSR Kouandjio has been a hot button topic based on his current film handling speed rushers and his health concerning his knee condition, and that if he even still deserves consideration with the Panthers first round selection. Well it is apparent after Gil Brandt's tweet Carolina still feels he is a possibility in the draft for them. I for one am on the fence with Kouandjio not from a skill set standpoint which is first round material but from the medical concerning such a large man with knee issues. If the Panthers brass are content with the knee being able to hold up then I am fine with them selecting him in the first round.

Cyrus Kouandjio draft analysis per Rob Rang:

STRENGTHS: Light on his feet, flexible, has broad shoulders and his arms are both long and strong. His weight is evenly distributed over his frame and he reportedly has just 16 percent body fat, an impressive number for any offensive lineman.

Quick off the snap and has the lateral agility to slide left to right. Kouandjio uses his athleticism in pass protection well but he's even more impressive as a run blocker, consistently out-quicking defenders to create lanes. Kouandjio relies on good placement, strong hands and an explosive jolt to turn and sustain defenders.

Perhaps most impressive is that Kouandjio plays at different speeds well. He shows very good patience in pass protection but can fire off the ball when needed. He possesses exciting quickness and mobility when blocking on the move, traits Coach Nick Saban and his staff took advantage of by asking the LT to pull and lead RBs, on occasion.

WEAKNESSES: Choppy sliding into pass protection and has a tendency to drop his head upon contact, although he was significantly improved as his second season as a starter progressed in 2013. Excellent run blocker, although not a true mauler.

COMPARES TO: Tyron Smith, OT, Dallas Cowboys - Kouandjio's lean, muscular frame and superb athleticism will remind scouts of the former USC Trojan and now-Cowboys starting left tackle, and he has at least as impressive a skill-set as his former linemate D.J. Fluker, who the Chargers took 11th overall in 2013.

It is with no doubt among everyone that follows Panthers football with the departure of Jordan Gross, the offensive line will need to be addressed one way or another somewhere in the upcoming draft. Luckily we have a GM in Dave Gettleman that loves his "hogmollies" and it is no secret that his philosophy is he wants to build this team from the inside out. Make no mistake Gettleman will take some beef in this draft and Kouandjio might just be on the menu.

Cyrus Kouandjio vs Texas A@M 2013:

Cyrus Kouandjio vs Virginia Tech 2013:

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