Taylor Moton's RT Rank Highlights Immense Loss Panthers Suffered

The Carolina Panthers are gearing up for what is likely to be a very pivotal season for several reasons, and they will be entering this crucial campaign without one of their key pieces on offense, veteran right tackle Taylor Moton.

Moton, who has been with the Panthers since the team drafted him in the second round back in 2017, was officially ruled out for the start of the season after a blood clot was discovered in his lung in June.

All signs point towards the veteran big man making a full recovery, but the Panthers will still be forced to make do without one of quarterback Bryce Young's key blockers up front for at least the first few weeks of the season, which is a major blow no matter how one looks at it.

Steady, Reliable Presence on the O-Line

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Taylor Moton (72) takes the field during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Anybody who watched Carolina's offense last season knows just how important Moton's steady presence on the right side of the line was, and Bleacher Report's recent positional rankings further hammer home how massive losing Moton truly is.

Per Bleacher Report's rankings, Moton is currently listed as the 12th-best right tackle in the NFL with a 73 overall grade, firmly within what they term their "Reliable Contributor" tier.

"Moton remained Carolina's steadiest offensive lineman in 2025, starting 15 games and continuing to win with the well-rounded, low-volatility skill set that has defined his career," BR explains.

"Moton's value is rooted in timing, technique and reliability more than overwhelming physical traits. In pass protection, he gets out of his stance efficiently, reaches his landmarks on time and uses active, precise hands to establish early leverage and disrupt the timing of rushers."

"In the run game, he is more positional than forceful, but he understands angles, fits blocks on schedule and can seal or wall off defenders when his footwork stays tied to his hands."

"Moton does not consistently overwhelm opponents with power, movement or finishing ability, but his technique, availability and down-to-down consistency still make him a dependable starting right tackle. He is a classic greater-than-the-sum-of-his-parts veteran whose value is often easier to appreciate inside the building than from the outside."

Why Does Losing Moton Matter?

Any time a team loses a key starter on the offensive line, even for just a few games, it tends to throw the entire offense out of whack. Steadiness at the tackle positions, in particular, is key to a well-balanced offense.

If Moton’s injury wasn’t already bad enough, star left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is also sidelined while he recovers from the knee injury he suffered during Carolina's wild-card loss to the Rams last January and isn't expected to be back until later in the season, if at all.

Replacing one tackle is already a massive challenge for any team, but having to replace both is almost impossible without a noticeable decrease in offensive output. In a division as tight as the NFC South and with an early schedule as difficult as Carolina's, this could lead to the team putting themselves in an early hole that could prove extremely difficult to dig out of.

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