Charlotte Hornets: Matching Hornets with their NFL paralells

Matching Hornets with their NFL parallels: Mason Plumlee and Taylor Moton

The stabilizing force for an otherwise shaky unit

It is no secret that the center rotation for the Hornets was an area of concern this offseason. While Mason Plumlee is not the marquee acquisition that some fans were hoping for, he does provide a solid, if unspectacular option at the center position.

Plumlee’s career defensive rating of 106.1 is significantly better than the league average from the 2021 season of 112.3. In addition, Plumlee set a new career high in rebounding last season while also finishing at fourth in the league in assists-per-game amongst centers. The Hornets’ center unit is shaky at best behind Plumlee, with the rest of the rotation being made up of young players in Vernon Carey Jr., Nick Richards, and Kai Jones.

Similarly, Taylor Moton is the stabilizer for an otherwise underwhelming offensive line unit for the Panthers. Moton has been a fixture at right tackle since joining the team in 2017 and was graded as the 13th-best tackle in the NFL last season for a unit that was rated as the 3rd-worst in the league going into the 2021 season. Rookie lineman Brady Christensen is currently the only other right tackle on the depth chart, which heightens the importance of Moton’s performance.

While their respective contributions may not show up on the highlight reel on any given night, the success of the Hornets and Panthers hinges on the contributions of Plumlee and Moton, respectively. With little in the way of experience behind them, both players will be called upon to deliver at a high level.