The Carolina Panthers are once again in the midst of a rebuild, which means they could potentially trade a veteran like Brady Christensen for future picks. After selecting Bryce Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Carolina fell flat because they didn’t have the supporting talent to get the most out of the Alabama product. Carolina, under Dave Canales’ direction, has invested heavily in their offensive line, signing Robert Hunt to a $100 million contract and Damien Lewis to a $53 million contract.
Carolina bolstered its offensive line, but also released offensive lineman Brady Christensen. A former third-round draft pick, Christensen started the 2023 season as the left guard before suffering a season-ending biceps injury in Week 1. Entering the final year of his contract, Christensen could be traded to a team looking to bolster the Panthers’ offensive line. Though Christensen is primarily a guard, he played tackle out of BYU in 2021 and would be a smart addition for a team like the New England Patriots or Baltimore Ravens.
Patriots, Ravens potentially in trade for Brady Christensen
The Patriots have yet to name a starting quarterback for Week 1, as No. 3 pick Drake Maye has performed well throughout the offseason. Whether it’s Week 1 or later in the season, the rookie will end up leading the team, and he’ll need plenty of protection to be New England’s long-awaited successor to Tom Brady. The Patriots have glaring holes at both tackle positions, and a Brady Christensen trade could address this issue, directly or indirectly.
New England paid Mike Onwenu to be their right tackle of the future, but Jerrod Mayo and the team currently have him locked in at right guard. Onwenu is better at guard than tackle, but tackle is a much more valuable position. Moving Onwenu to right tackle and using Christensen at guard could give New England four starting-caliber linemen with just one weak spot at left tackle.
Alternatively, the Patriots could trade for Brady Christensen to add to the left field position in the short term. With fourth-round pick Rayden Robinson reportedly clamoring for the starting guard spot, Onwenu would naturally be moved to right tackle. Christensen would be a perfect fit for the vacant left tackle position, giving New England five starters. An offensive line of Christensen, Seau, Andrews, Robinson and Onwenu is not reminiscent of the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s, but it could be enough to give Drake Maye a fighting chance.
Ravens Depth
The Baltimore Ravens offensive line will look very different in 2024. The reigning AFC North champions boasted the deepest unit in football, but they traded starting guard and right tackle Morgan Moses. To replace the departed veterans, the Ravens traded Andrew Voorhees and Daniel Faalele, and Patrick Mekari will compete with second-round draft pick Roger Rosengarten for the right tackle position.
All of these players have the potential to be capable starters, but trading for Brady Christensen wouldn’t be a bad move. You can never have too much depth on an offensive line, especially with so many starters. The best offensive line isn’t always about finding the right players individually, but the best overall unit. Christensen can fill in any part of the line and step in if one of the less experienced veterans can’t handle the pressure of starting.
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