SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU offensive lineman Brady Christensen appears to be a perfect fit for the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have a pressing need at offensive tackle as they want to protect their newest quarterback in Sam Darnold.

Christensen steps in and has the chance to play right away for Carolina. That’s why one outlet, CBS Sports, views Christensen as one of 10 “Instant-Impact Rookies” for the 2021 NFL season.

 

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The 70th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Christensen was tabbed as the 6th “instant-impact rookie” by CBS.

“Quietly, Christensen is the likely Week 1 starter for the Panthers at left tackle, protecting Sam Darnold. Sure, he’ll battle it out with 2019 second-round pick Greg Little, but the former Ole Miss star hasn’t come close to meeting expectations early in his NFL career and has no connections to the current Carolina staff,” wrote CBS’ Chris Trapasso.

Brady Christensen is a great fit for the Carolina Panthers

Christensen was a Consensus All-American for BYU in 2020. The first time a BYU player earned that distinction since running back Luke Staley in 2001. Christensen also ended BYU’s long drought without an offensive lineman selected in the draft. The former Bountiful High product was BYU’s first offensive lineman selected since Scott Young in 2005.

“Christensen’s BYU film was pretty darn clean. And it should have been for a 24-year-old blocker with 38 games on his college resume,” said Trapasso. “He moves well for his size and was a quality battler in pass protection with high-end balance.”

A lineman you said? pic.twitter.com/yWaqwrzJYs

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) May 1, 2021

After three impressive years as the starting left tackle at BYU, Christensen declared for the NFL draft foregoing his senior season. It worked out well for him as he put up historic Pro Day numbers. Now he joins a Panthers franchise that on the surface appears to be the right fit for Christensen.

Christensen takes the field for the first time as a member of the Carolina Panthers when Carolina’s rookie minicamp opens up on May 14.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.