There’s a lot to look forward to in Carolina these days from an offensive line perspective.
The Panthers already had three of their 2020 offensive-line starters on the roster prior to the draft: right tackle Taylor Moton, right guard John Miller and center Matt Paradis.
But the Panthers did some legitimate work in free agency, and in the draft, attempting to strengthen the remaining two spots and add overall depth.
Carolina signed Pat Elflein and Cameron Erving as free agents this offseason. Erving has started at center, guard and tackle during his six NFL seasons. A former starting center and guard for the Minnesota Vikings, Elflein missed most of last season with a thumb injury but started the final six games at left guard for the New York Jets.
The Panthers also added BYU offensive tackle Brady Christensen in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Carolina also re-signed former Lee-Huntsville standout Trent Scott after he started four games at left tackle in 2020 as an injury replacement for Russell Okung.
And don’t forget about Grambling State’s David Moore, whom the Panthers snapped up as an undrafted free agent. Cat Scratch Reader’s MickSmiley wrote about how Moore has a shot at sticking in Carolina.
Who is Deonte Brown?
It could be that the Panthers’ sixth-round pick, guard Deonte Brown, is one of the more overlooked offensive lineman heading into the season.
Brown played his college ball at Alabama, facing off against current Panther and former Auburn Tiger Derrick Brown during the SEC’s 2019 Iron Bowl game.
Deonte Brown said he remembered that game well, noting how great it was to go up against a guy like Derrick Brown. He also said he was lucky to have an excellent tackle at his side, former teammate and current Cleveland Browns tackle Jedrick Wills.
But let’s be honest: it’s difficult to expect much from a sixth-rounder in their rookie season, or even as a potential starter. It certainly could happen, but the odds are stacked against it.
However, NFL Network’s “Draft Today” show had some glowing words for the guard.
“I love Deonte Brown. I think Matt Rhule might have found a starting guard in Deonte Brown,” said one of the scouts.
Interestingly, NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein projected Brown going in the fourth round, with an NFL comparison with Seattle Seahawks guard Gabe Jackson. Zierlein also sees starting potential for Brown.
“Brown has the potential to become a starter for a power-based rushing team that doesn’t adhere to strict traits standards,” writes Zierlein.
He got significant playing time over four years at Alabama, playing in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman for the national champions. The next season Brown got five starts at left guard as a sophomore, suiting up in 12 contests overall. He missed the final two games due to an undisclosed NCAA suspension, which also held him out the first four games of the 2019 season.
Brown returned to start eight of nine games played at right guard in 2019, and in 2020 he started all 13 games for the Tide at left guard, earning first-team all-SEC.