Austin Corbett is transitioning from guard to center this offseason, taking over the position vacated by Bradley Bozeman, who was released earlier this spring. While playing center isn’t entirely new to Corbett, as he has some experience at the position during his time with the Cleveland Browns, the shift still represents a significant change.
Although there are few doubts about Corbett’s football intelligence and experience in the league, concerns arise regarding his overall health. He has endured season-ending knee injuries in consecutive seasons, prompting understandable apprehension whenever a lineman faces such serious setbacks in a short span of time.
Fortunately for the Panthers, this year’s draft presents a promising array of center prospects. Players like Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon, Zach Frazier from West Virginia, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger from Georgia, and Hunter Nourzad from Penn State are all seen as potential starters early in their careers.
In light of these prospects, Panthers head coach Dave Canales emphasizes a philosophy of consistently challenging the roster, whether through free agency or the draft, to prevent complacency among players. He sees the center position as an excellent opportunity for Corbett but acknowledges the importance of competition. Canales believes that bringing in fresh talent, whether through the draft or free agency, elevates the entire team’s performance and fosters a competitive environment.
Whether through the draft, which seems the likeliest route, or free agency, the Panthers recognize the need to add another center to their roster. With two early picks in the second round, it would make sense for Carolina to use one of them to select a center, providing both depth and competition for Corbett’s starting role.
