NFL free agency 2021: Best offensive lineman available
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OT. Carolina Panthers. Taylor Moton. 3. player. 87
Left tackles will garner high attention on the open market. There’s no denying that Taylor Moton has deserved to enter the conversation after being the model of consistency on the blindside for Carolina.
The 26-year-old has only allowed more than two sacks in a season once since being drafted out of Western Michigan. His speed and attention to detail in run blocking also make him versatile, allowing him to play on either side of the offensive line.
Since 2018, PFF has graded Moton with a 76.6 overall or higher. In 2020, he set a career-best 81.2 and was considered a top 10 tackle in pass protection.
Carolina would be foolish to let him walk, but they also traded Trai Turner for Russell Okung. Moton has played well in the run game, helping Christian McCaffery become the third running back in league history to hit the 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a season. And again, look at his numbers in pass set.
Teams usually don’t allow tackles of this production to hit the market. Should Moton not receive the franchise tag, expect him to cost something fierce as the next blindside protector.