North Charlotte Today

Dave Canales, coach for an unnamed team in Charlotte, likens his approach to team-building to a construction project. He often references "building" when discussing the team's development, emphasizing a staged and strategic approach. The successful construction of last year's offensive line serves as a model for assembling the entire roster.

In 2023, the team allowed 65 sacks due to frequent changes in the guard positions, hindering offensive progress and assessment of player Bryce Young. To address this, they invested in players Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis through free agency and strengthened the team. The combination of first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle, second-rounder Taylor Moton at right tackle, and former No. 33 pick Austin Corbett in the middle establishes a strong foundation.

Backup players Brady Christensen, Chandler Zavala, Cade Mays, and Yosh Nijman contribute to a solid group, enhancing the overall offense. Canales maintains, "There's not a lot of worry on the offensive line, but the cool part is when we start to look at, and when we evaluate players in the draft and in free agency, we always evaluate them with our roster in mind."

He emphasizes evaluating new players against current team members to ensure they bring value not just in skill but also in character. Canales expresses optimism about the current team, stating, "I love trying to build out rooms like that so that when we bring our rookies in or bring a free agent in, they hit the ground, and they're like, I got work to do, and they feel like they're in good company and just the competition it brings the whole thing."

The team appreciates the flexibility provided by their players whose contract statuses vary. Ikem Ekwonu, now in the fourth year of his rookie contract, is slated for a fifth-year option. General Manager Dan Morgan intends to extend Ekwonu's contract. Canales praises him, saying, "I think Ickey showed us he's a dominant run blocker. I think he showed us that he is very reliable in the past in pass protection."

Taylor Moton's contract situation is notable, as he approaches the final year of his deal at age 31. Despite potential for drafting a new tackle, Moton remains an essential player. Canales acknowledges Moton's consistent performance, asserting, "He's been steady Eddie here for a long time, so we're counting on him doing that again."

Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt remain under contract through 2027 and 2028, respectively. Other linemen on one-year contracts ensure the team maintains flexibility for future changes. This roster development strategy has extended to the defense, where free agent acquisitions like Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III aim to raise the team's level of play alongside returning Pro Bowler Derrick Brown.

The forthcoming draft presents an opportunity to build on this approach, emulating last year's successful offensive line reconstruction. Canales hopes this method will enhance the team's competitive edge across all positions.