Is it time for the Carolina Panthers to draft a center?

Heading into the 2023 season, the Carolina Panthers offensive line was viewed as a strength. The thought by then general manager Scott Fitterer was that he had invested enough in the offensive line over the previous two offseasons that there would be no issues placing a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young behind them.

Well, Fitterer and this podcast host were wrong. While not all sacks can be credited to the offensive line, the Panthers allowed 65 sacks on the season, tied for second-most in the NFL, and severely regressed from what was viewed as a breakthrough 2022 campaign.

Now, with Dan Morgan taking over as GM, the Panthers need to figure out what to do with this unit moving forward. All five starters from the 2022 season are under contract in 2024 and there are decisions to be made about each of their futures.

One of the biggest issues the Panthers need to solve this offseason is determining what the future at center is for the team. The Panthers have not drafted a center since drafting Ryan Kalil 59th overall in the 2007 draft. Since Kalil left Carolina, the Panthers have tried out a trio of free agents, Matt Paradis, Pat Elflein, and Bradley Bozeman.

After watching Bozeman struggle following signing a new contract last offseason, is it time for Carolina to invest in the center position via the draft?

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