With most Panthers fans clamoring for a suitable left tackle to be drafted in the first round of next month's draft, I thought we should examine the teams drafting ahead of the Panthers - who might take an offensive tackle before us and who might be left when we get to #25.
#1 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay cut 2014 free agent prize Anthony Collins and have question marks across the offensive line, but there is no offensive lineman worthy of the #1 overall pick this year. No OT prospects should come off the board here.
Selection: None
#5 - Washington Redskins
The Redskins have Trent Williams at LT but Tom Compton at RT could easily be replaced. Again though, the lack of elite offensive line prospects means that none should be drafted here. Brandon Scherff would certainly be an upgrade, but he is not worth this pick.
Selection: None
#6 - New York Jets
The much of the Jets offensive line is solid, but RT is not. Brandon Scherff would still be a reach.
Selection: None
#9 - New York Giants
This is where things start to get interesting. Brandon Scherff has Pro Bowl potential as a right tackle, and a potential starting left tackle starts to be less of a reach here, even if he is not guaranteed to start at LT from day one. Scherff is no longer the consensus mock pick for the Giants, but he is definitely in the discussion to go off of the board here.
Selection: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa University (33% likelihood of selecting offensive lineman)
#11 - Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil regressed a great deal last season and RT Phil Loadholt's season ended early. Young QB Teddy Bridgewater would benefit from improved pass protection, but I doubt that OT is the pick here. The Vikings have other, more pressing holes.
Selection: None
#14 - Miami Dolphins
Offensive tackle may not be a need on South Beach, but offensive guard is. Many of the top offensive tackle prospects are seen as potentially better players if shifted inside. Someone like La'el Collins comes to mind here. Having pre-arranged for Mike Wallace's departure with the acquisition of Kenny Stills, the Dolphins will not be forced to take a receiver here. If Scherff is still available, he could definitely be the pick.
Selection: La'el Collins, LSU (20% likelihood of selecting offensive lineman)
#15 - San Francisco 49ers
This is another spot where offensive guard is more of the need than offensive tackle. Mike Iupati is gone and can the 49ers truly rely on Brandon Thomas as he comes of a major injury? The 49ers have taken a lot of hits this offseason, and I do not think that offensive guard will be the best pick here for San Francisco.
Selection: None
#18 - Kansas City Chiefs
I do not know if Ben Grubbs will be enough to satisfy Andy Reid's need for top-notch offensive linemen. There is also a need for a center in Kansas City after Rodney Hudson left for Oakland. I think an offensive lineman will be the pick here, but the question is who and for what role.
Selection: Cameron Erving, Florida State (70% likelihood of selecting offensive lineman)
#23 - Detroit Lions
The Lions need to upgrade their offensive line to help protect Matthew Stafford. Riley Reiff is miscast as a left tackle and the entire right side could be replaced.
Selection: Andrus Peat, Stanford (60% likelihood of selecting offensive lineman)
Remaining offensive line prospects
T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
D.J. Humphries, Florida
Jake Fisher, Oregon
Ereck Flowers, Miami (FL)
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Homework - Leave a comment!
Of the remaining four offensive lineman prospects, who would you want the Panthers to take at 25?
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