Panthers draft pulse: the case for OT at 19
The Panthers current offensive tackle depth chart is thin and Dan Morgan hasn't taken an OL in either of his two drafts. Will he break that streak with an OT at No. 19?
Things change quickly in the National Football League.
It might seem like something is solid for the foreseeable future but that can change instantly.
Teams are always in need of good offensive linemen, even if you have a solid starting five.
Prior to their playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Carolina Panthers probably had offensive line as an upcoming offseason need but not a priority.
That need became a priority with 9 minutes 49 seconds to play in the first quarter of that game when starting left tackle Ickey Ekwonu went down with what ended up being a torn patellar tendon.
Ekwonu’s injury stung on multiple fronts. For Ekwonu, he was due for a big pay day and extension.
For the Panthers, it led to uncertainty at one of the most important positions on the field.
More uncertainty was thrown the Panthers way when backup swing tackle Yosh Nijman retired.
Right tackle Taylor Moton just turned 32 years old and it isn’t clear on how much longer he plans to play.
The Panthers signed former Raiders tackle Stone Forsythe and Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker to one-year deals in the opening week of free agency to address the position.
Here are the current offensive tackles on the Panthers roster as of April 20, 2026: Ekwonu, Forsythe, Moton and Walker.
It seems likely the Panthers will address the position again in the draft given the state of the room.
The question with offensive tackle is how many will be available and will there be a run on them before the Panthers go on the clock at No. 19?
Most mock drafts have five or six tackles going in round one. But the quality of the position falls down a cliff after the top tackles on the consensus board. If you want one of the top guys, you’ll have to take them in the first round.
Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano and Kadyn Proctor are likely to be off the board by the time the Panthers pick at No. 19.
Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, Utah’s Caleb Lomu, Clemson’s Blake Miller and Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor have a chance to be on the board when the Panthers are on the clock.
Dan Morgan hasn’t taken an offensive lineman in either draft he’s ran since he took over as General Manger.
Ekwonu’s status for 2026 is truly up in the air and it’s hard to envision the Panthers trying to rush him back into action given the injury.
Given the uncertainty of Ekwonu’s injury and the room overall, it seems like a good bet that the Panthers will take a tackle on Thursday or Friday.
If they opt not to take a tackle, that will be a major storyline to watch throughout the season.