CHARLOTTE - The Panthers on Friday selected BYU offensive tackle Brady Christensen in the third round (70th overall) of the NFL Draft.
Carolina traded with Philadelphia to move up from 73 to 70 to select Christensen. The Panthers gave up their 191st overall selection in the sixth round to make the move.
A three-year starter who played every game at BYU, Christensen was a consensus All-American in 2020 as he blocked for second overall pick Zach Wilson. He posted PFF's highest-recorded grade for an offensive lineman (96.0), besting Penei Sewell's 2019 grade.
"We think he's a versatile player," head coach Matt Rhule said about Christensen. "A guy who can play outside and inside. We'll wait to see when he gets here where exactly he fits. He comes from that pro style offense at BYU so he's done the things that we are asking guys to do. He's been doing it there. He's a tackle candidate that can also go inside and play guard. Again, a great, great, great athlete. Intelligence, the whole package."
While Christensen is an older player that's about to turn 25, general manager Scott Fitterer said that wasn't an issue.
"We just liked the person. We liked the athlete," said Fitterer. "I was at the BYU pro day, and he was really impressive in person. Then you hear about the character, the work ethic, the intelligence, the toughness, that's what really sold us on him."
Christensen played at BYU from 2018-20 and was selected by Carolina in the third round. He posted a record grade by PFF in 2020.
19FTB vs Liberty 00757
19FTB vs Liberty
2019 BYU Football
BYU-31 Liberty-24
November 9, 2019
Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU
Copyright Brigham Young University - 2019
FILE - Brigham Young offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) is shown in action in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., in this Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, file photo. Christensen was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
19FTB at Toledo 2365
19FTB at Toledo
2019 BYU Football
BYU-21 Toledo-28
September 28, 2019
Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU
© BYU PHOTO 2019 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322
19FTB at Tennessee 05051
19FTB at Tennessee
2019 BYU Football
BYU defeats Tennessee 29-26 in Double Overtime.
September 7, 2019
Photo by Gabe Mayberry/BYU
© BYU PHOTO 2019 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322
19FTB vs Boise State 7703
19FTB vs Boise State
2019 BYU Football vs #14 Boise State
BYU-28 BSU-25
October 19, 2019
Photo by Claire Gentry/BYU
Brigham Young Universityday
Brigham Young offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
19FTB vs Washington 07281
19FTB vs Washington
2019 BYU Football
BYU-19 Was-45
September 21, 2019
Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU
© BYU PHOTO 2019 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322
Utah defensive end Maxs Tupai (92) is locked up with BYU offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) in the second half during an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Brigham Young offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
