Michael Oher, who currently sits atop the Carolina Panthers right tackle depth chart, arrived in Charlotte Tuesday for the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp after missing almost the entire 2016 regular season with a concussion. Though Oher was in the city of Charlotte for the camp, he was not actually on the practice field with his teammates as he is still in the concussion protocol. While rumors are swirling wildly, varying from retirement to Oher being ready for the start of the regular season to possibly seeking an injury settlement from the Panthers, at this moment, things are truly “up in the air”.
In 2016, the Panthers’ offensive line was in shambles, as Oher and Ryan Kalil both missed a significant amount of time due to injuries while the rest of the line provided no help to the offense which was so prolific just a year earlier. Former Panthers tackle Mike Remmers had his worst season, giving up 9 sacks and 49 QB pressures while racking up 15 flags. With Matt Kalil brought in during free agency to shore up Remmers’ spot, what about the other side of the offensive line? Daryl Williams, who spent most of his first season in 2015 on the bench, was forced into the starting RT position in 2016, and had his ups and downs – which was expected for a young offensive tackle. In one of his first starts, Williams had a tough task ahead against one of the newest and best pass rushers in the league, Vic Beasley. In the play below, you see him do a solid job of protecting the pocket, while the sack comes from the other side against Remmers. Trai Turner was assigned to help Williams, but if you watch closely, Turner saw Beasley was being handled just fine.
Unfortunately, Williams still has a lot of room to grow and learn, as later on in the same game, we see him easily getting beat by Beasley, forcing Cam to make a rushed throw on what should have been an easy first down. My main concern with Williams is his footwork and speed when facing fast pass rushers such as Beasley coming off of the edge. The play below shows just how easy it is to get by Williams if you have good speed on a rush.
I believe Williams has progressed since the season began and ended in 2016, but just as a precaution, the Panthers decided to draft another offensive tackle in the 2017 draft: Taylor Moton. Despite this, we should still expect to see Williams tabbed as the starter in Week 1 should Oher not be available as we expect. Finishing out the season strong in 2016, Williams has proven sporadically that he has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL, in the example below, you see him hold the pocket against a strong Chiefs pass rush, which is no easy task for a first year starter.
Moton comes in 6’5 and 320 pounds, and was a huge factor in helping lead Western Michigan to an incredible season in 2016. Before I show you this next play, go back to the first gif of Cam Newton getting sacked and watch Mike Remmers try to defend Dwight Freeney’s spin move. Now watch what happens with Moton, on the right side of the line, defending the same move:
Moton not only showed the quickness in his feet against a fast pass rusher, but showed his strength when holding back the pass rush. If this kind of play of his can transition to the NFL, Moton could shortly become one of the better tackles in the league and one of the steals of the 2017 draft.
If Michael Oher is unable to ever play another down of football again, the Panthers have two options already on the roster, both young and hungry, and ready to make way for Cam Newton and company. I believe that in San Francisco, Daryl Williams will be out there protecting Cam, while Moton patiently crafts his skills to someday become a starter himself.
