Panthers named ‘perfect free-agent match’ for breakout guard

A breakout performer in 2023, G Kevin Dotson could be of interest to the Panthers in free agency.

The Carolina Panthers are reportedly on the lookout for some interior offensive line help this offseason. If so, here’s a name to keep an eye on.

Pro Football Focus contributor Dalton Wasserman recently rolled out 32 “perfect free-agent matches” for this spring, hooking up each team with their best possible (and plausible) signing. For Carolina, he rings up guard Kevin Dotson, who could help solidify the thin trenches in front of quarterback Bryce Young.

Wasserman writes:

Carolina’s guards ranked last in the NFL in overall grade in 2023, so signing Los Angeles’ Kevin Dotson would be a massive move. Dotson had a tremendous breakout year, ranking second in the NFL in overall and run-blocking grades while posting a respectable 66.8 pass-blocking grade.

Young, who was sacked 62 times, really missed the likes of Brady Christensen and Austin Corbett throughout the course of his rough rookie campaign. The two usual starters at left and right guard missed a combined 29 games in 2023.

By season’s end, the Panthers started six different players at left guard and seven different players at right guard.

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