Andrew Norwell put together a phenomenal season at the best possible time, at age 26 with four seasons played, he’s due a new contract and is likely to top the market after four healthy seasons and consistently being marked as one the league’s top guards. It took awhile for Norwell to get the credit he’s due after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014, but a 1st-Team All-Pro selection in 2017 came at the best time as it looks like he’ll hit the open market.
The Panthers may try to re-sign him but they currently have a lot of money tied up in the trenches, with right guard Trai Turner already getting a top three guard contract last summer, not to mention defensive tackle Kwaan Short was paid top money for his position. Carolina isn’t struggling for cap space but are ranked 20th with $20.3M (according to overthecap.com). They’d be putting a lot of money into the guard position if those choose to re-sign Norwell.
Strength and Technique: This man is a mammoth, listed at 6’6, 325 lbs and he plays like it. His natural strength becomes functional strength on the field due to his incredible technique with both his hands and feet. He had a solid punch, but his grip strength is most notable and his hands are usually in position. He’s light on his feet which is terrifying for this size, but his clean footwork helps him anchor effectively against power rushers. Together, it’s very hard to beat Norwell, indicated by his stats, no sacks or QB hits all season over 1,140 snaps.
(Note, for every clip, look for the Left Guard, #68)
In this first clip he allows Fletcher Cox to get inside leverage, but quickly regains balance and gets the advantage, controlling him until Cam is able to escape.
Here he just gets his hands in the right spot, alongside planted feet, to toss a defender like it was nothing, and properly finishes.
Clean win, has his hands on the inside to gain leverage.
Strong hands, strong feet against one of the better pass rushers in the game. Griffen’s initial strike jolts Norwell a bit but his anchor is so solid combined with great hand usage and power, he doesn’t allow him to get close to the QB.
Vs Leonard Williams, beautiful technique, anchor, hand usage, control, strength.
Mental Processing: Generally tackles and centers are required to be the smartest lineman on your offense, but Norwell sees the play develop quickly and knows exactly what he needs to do. There is a trend of LT Matt Kalil getting beat by an edge rush, and Norwell picking up his block cleanly. This guy can be a huge benefit to anyone struggling at left tackle or center as he’s a tremendously smart player with a very quick reaction.
The interior offensive line for the Panthers is great, but the tackles are lacking, having an elite guard helps. You can see LT Kalil get beat pretty cleanly by an Everson Griffen spin move, while Norwell looks for works and properly picks him up. You can see Norwell block the same spin move here (granted it was pretty weak, but AN makes him pay for it). https://streamable.com/byvb6
This one plays back in slow motion because this is just incredible. The play either calls to allow the RE come through unblocked or the LT simply didn’t pick up on it, but what was supposed to be a pull on Norwell’s part ends up in him peeling off and hitting the free rusher, allowing this play to work. I have no idea how he even saw him. Looking back there is a chance this was by design, in which case Norwell is the only person with the play speed/strength and mental processing ability to pull off a fake pull and successfully make the block.
Super Bowl two years ago, this play doesn’t get very far but it could’ve ended sooner, Norwell pulls off his double team to seal off the free linebacker.
See a recurring theme here? Once again Kalil is left in the dust by a spin move, only to be picked up cleanly by Norwell. Here it is again against Minnesota on a play different from the first clip, yet the exact same thing happens: https://streamable.com/fnr76
Chris Long loops around hoping to go unnoticed, despite not being even somewhat responsible and after initially over pursuing, Norwell picks him up and shoves him off, this is after he helps out the Center.
Play Speed/Athletic Ability: Like I said earlier, Norwell is a huge man with quick, light feet, often referred to as a ‘Dancing Bear’. For his size he is very athletic, the Panthers use him as an open field blocker quite frequently, from pulling, to screens and at the second level. Getting him in space is a great way to maximize his strengths, he is athletic enough to make blocks against quicker linebackers and defensive backs that a lot of lineman can’t.
Two separate clips showcasing his ability to easily get to the second level and make blocks against far more athletic linebackers. The first time he directly blocks off a LB who could’ve ended the play, the second one the run is stopped early but the LB in the path is taken care of.
This is my favorite play by him of all the games I watched. He does so much on one run, I won’t even explain it, just watch it in slow-mo and appreciate him.
Excellent pull to get through the gap and seal off the linebacker.
Finally, a play where his efforts pay off, Norwell pulls and leads the way after a key block to allow Jonathan Stewart to break off a near 60 yard touchdown.
How much will he cost?
Looking at the current top guard contracts, there was some major inflation in terms of guaranteed money for Zeitler and Osemele who are the only two guards guaranteed $20M+ at the moment.
Zeitler (RG) – $12M/YR, with $23 guaranteed over the life of the contract
Osemele (LG) – $11.7M/YR, with $25.4 guaranteed
Turner (RG) – $11.25M/YR, with $15.8 guaranteed
Jackson (RG) – $11M/YR, with $ 16.5 guaranteed
Bitonio (LG) – $10M/YR, with 17.1 guaranteed
It’s likely Norwell will command at least $11M/YR but the guaranteed money is a bit harder to pin, $25M seems like a bit much, but a $12M/YR, $26M guaranteed contract rounds out nicely to secure him for at least three years.
So who’s expected to pursue?
Norwell played mostly in a man blocking scheme with Carolina, with some zone concepts worked in. His game could transfer to a zone scheme if needed due to his play speed and athletic ability. San Francisco and Indianapolis both need a lot of interior offensive line help and possess the most cap space that isn’t Cleveland (who have both guard spots locked up). The Jets, Buccaneers and Texans also have plenty of cap space and the need. Every team in the top ten of the draft will also be cautious, with the possibility of drafting Notre Dame Guard Quenton Nelson, who is one of the surest things in the draft and will come at a much lower price tag than Norwell will. Regardless, he will be fielding a lot of offers with a handful of teams being aggressive, expect this elite guard to be one of the most pursued players this free agency.
In Conclusion:
Offensive Lineman aren’t as popular as skill position, they do the dirty work that others get credit for. I think that’s just the lifestyle, and some guys like it. For that I wanted to show off Andrew Norwell, he’s easily one of the best lineman in the game and was hardly talked about before this year. Some clips showcase my point more than others, but there was a lot to be impressed by.
I could not find many weaknesses, not that he never lost a snap but that was very rare. I did find this play though, where he kind of just forgets to use his hands.
Otherwise, Norwell is as sure of a thing as it gets, as long as you don’t cram him into a zone-heavy blocking scheme. Technical, strong, smart and athletic, there isn’t much you can’t get out of Norwell who came into this league as a UDFA, so if you want him on your team be prepared to pay big, it’ll probably be worth it.
