Could 2024 draft prospect Zach Frazier be Panthers’ ‘long-term answer’ at center?

Not since the days of Ryan Kalil have the Carolina Panthers been absolutely locked in at the center position. But that could change, starting with one decision coming up in a few weeks’ time.

As we inch ever closer to the annual announcing of names, ESPN draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid recently ran down each team’s three greatest needs. With help of Panthers beat reporter David Newton, they landed on the outside linebacker, wide receiver and center positions for Carolina.

And if they’re looking to finally solidify that last area, Reid suggests they could nab West Virginia’s Zach Frazier with one of their first two picks. He writes:

Frazier allowed only three sacks in 1,277 pass-blocking snaps over the past three seasons, and he could be a long-term answer in Carolina.

Thanks to their trade of two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns, the Panthers will have a second second-rounder (39th overall) to pair with the draft’s 33rd selection. Either of those could conceivably be used on Frazier, who enters the league as a 2023 first-team All-Big 12 member.

Unfortunately for the 6-foot-3, 313-pound hog molly, that campaign ended on a broken leg he sustained at the end of November. Frazier was not cleared to play in February’s Senior Bowl and limited himself to on-field drills at the scouting combine.

While he may be ready to go by the start of his first NFL season, Frazier could be a developmental investment of sorts for the Panthers—who seem intent on starting Austin Corbett at center in 2024.