Fortunately for the Panthers, this is a good draft to need a center. Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon), Zach Frazier (West Virginia), Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (Georgia), and Hunter Nourzad (Penn State) are all viewed as prospects who could take on a starting role early in their career.

So, how does Panthers head coach Dave Canales view the center spot entering the draft?

“My approach, our approach is really how can we challenge this roster every year? So if it’s free agency, if it’s through the draft, let’s attack all of our spots because we don’t want any of our players to just be complacent sitting there like hey, I got this, no big deal. That’s another position right there where I think it’s a great opportunity for Corbs. I think for him, the way that he’s wired, the person, it’s a great opportunity for him. And if somebody falls to us that can challenge that position and that spot, then we got to take a serious look at it and that goes across the board.

“I feel great about playing football right now with the group we have. I know that there’s guys that are going to be able to help us that can really challenge our play, elevate our play. This makes us all better. You bring in fresh blood, a rookie, who’s excited to go at whatever position I think it turns on the whole room where everyone sits up a little straighter, you start to feel a little more agile and start to dial in your notes a little bit more. It’s part of the competitive nature of this thing and yes, I think we should still target playmakers at every position skill-wise on the offensive side.”

Whether it’s through the draft (most likely) or free agency, the Panthers need to add another center to the roster. With two picks at the top of the second round, it would make a lot of sense for Carolina to use one of those selections on a center, giving them someone who can push Corbett for the starting job.