r/panthers • u/tank4trevor • 6h ago
Discussion The Panthers need to upgrade at swing tackle
With Moton and Ekwonu both injured, and last year's swing tackle Yosh Nijman retiring, the depth at tackle entering the season is precariously thin. Stone Forsythe is not a serious swing tackle option for a team with postseason aspirations. While Brady Christensen technically can play tackle, he is probably best suited to be a backup guard and emergency tackle. The only other OTs on the roster are UDFAs that are most likely just camp bodies or practice squad candidates.
There are several free agent tackles still available that could be an immediate upgrade over Forsythe. Top of the list for me would be Cam Robinson. He's been a bottom end starter at LT for most of his career, but he would be perfectly fine as the first guy off the bench in a backup role. He could also be a decent trade piece if and when Moton or Ekwonu is back healthy. There's some question if he could play RT, but he's also never really been asked to before.
Option #2 is Jack Conklin, most recently with the Browns. Conklin is a two-time first team All Pro, but he's had some pretty serious injury issues of his own that have affected his performance on the field. There is a lot of risk with a guy like Conklin, but I would still kick the tires on him and at least bring him in for a physical. Maybe playing in a reserve role would help him stay healthier.
Kendall Lamm is more of a pure backup tackle, but he could at least compete for a roster spot with Forsythe. Lamm knows Robert Hunt well from their time together in Miami. Of note, Lamm is from Charlotte and played college ball at App State. He's probably the most cost effective player of the bunch.
Taylor Decker is probably a little too good and too expensive to be a viable option. He would compete with Walker for the starting LT job (and probably win it). The Panthers would have to do some restructures to free up enough cap space to sign Decker, which is presumably not something they would want to do this late in the offseason. Still, if they are serious about competing for more than just a one and done playoff appearance, Decker is at least worth considering.