The Carolina Panthers picked up right where they left off Friday making multiple moves back at the office on Monday. After reports surfaced that the team will pick up the fifth-year option on linebacker Shaq Thompson and the announcement of the re-signing of cornerback LaDarius Gunter to a one-year deal, the team announced today they have also re-signed unrestricted free agent guard Amini Silatolu through the 2018 season. The 2012 second-round draft choice started three games last season in replace of the injured Trai Turner to cap off the end of the 2017 regular season; this will be Amini’s sixth season with the Panthers, the only NFL team he has played for.
The signing brings more depth and competition at both guard and tackle, as well as a *possible* spot starter to the guard position that currently has a significant hole due to the departure of Andrew Norwell in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former Vikings guard Jeremiah Sirles, who was also signed to a one year deal by the Panthers last Friday afternoon, is slated to compete for and likely win the spot while also providing depth at the position.
Pro Football Focus wasn’t too kind to Silatolu’s work in 2017 giving him a 40.5 ranking which left him in the “poor” category, compared to Norwell’s 88.8 ranking, which ranked among the top three spots in the league. The one-year deal for a guard may not be the most exciting to the Panthers fan base, however with training camp on the horizon and no guarantee for multiple roster spots, camp competition alone can go a long way seemingly without a financial hit as salary details have not been disclosed at this time. The move allows the Panthers to head into the 2018 season with depth on the interior of the offensive line which now includes Tyler Larsen, Taylor Moton, Sirles and now Silatolu.
#Panthers running game coordinator John Matsko speaking to Frank Ragnow at Arkansas Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/3Q2aav0245
— The Riot Report (@RRiotReport) March 26, 2018
Another option along the interior may an early draft pick, with word arising today that both Marty Hurney and running game coordinator John Matsko attended the University of Arkansas Pro Day, presumably to get their eyes on center Frank Ragnow, who could be in consideration for either their second or third-round pick in the NFL Draft, which begins next month, April 26th in Dallas, Texas.
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