Round 1: The Carolina Panthers select OT Monroe Freeling (Georgia)

[Diehardpanth02]

1 minute ago, TylerDurden said:

I’m not gonna poo the pick…  as always, I’m gonna hope for the best.  But, I just don’t get it.  The value may be incredible down the road, but right now, it isn’t.  The first round pick should always have “start as a rookie” projection, unless you’re a perineal contender, and usually even then…  this pick?  I just don’t see how it fits.  Someone else posted that Morgan said Freeling was the best on their board at our pick and it wasn’t close.  I did see that he said we were in the position to take BPA after FA.  So from that angle, I get it.  But to take a guy who probably won’t play out of injury or situational subs versus guys like Lemon or Thieneman, who would’ve stepped in immediately and started?  That one is a head scratcher for me right now.  But, in a year or two, this may look like a genius pick.

That’s why you draft. Your just more likely to get a better OT early and more likely a safety/DB later that can play.

but I get it could go either way. That’s the point I think you just go who you think can make more difference.

[Hoenheim]

Only 9 pages? 

I just stopped working. I heard the pick announced. A little surprised given the pre draft predictions,  but I think selecting Monroe Freeling is a pretty safe, smart pick given the situations with Ickey and Moton.

Now we have several options at both tackle spots and we can afford to be flexible and not have to overpay anyone at LT or RT. It's a smart business move imo.

Not sure how good this guy is. I'll have to do some research. All I remember from the pre draft analysis was he's a developmental LT with a lot of potential .

Edited April 24 by Hoenheim

[carpanfan96]

2 minutes ago, flagfootballcoach28 said:

He ran great and jumped high, but he struggled with the drills. I literally thought to myself “I hope we don’t take this player”  during the combine. I just don’t understand why Carolina feels the need to draft these raw, boom or bust players in the 1st round with very little college production? I thought Dan Morgan learned his lesson last draft when he took the highly productive WR in TMac. I don’t have time to go into detail, but his technique leaves a lot to be desired if you watch him closely.. Why is a 6’7 OT with elite athleticism the 5th OT taken in a weak draft? That’s a red flag for me. People are blindly praising the pick in here without ever watching the kid play 

He's 100% a project player and everyone should hope like hell that he doesn't see the field this year. That said I don't mind the pick because Carolina has a good online coach and he shouldn't be pressed to start this season at all. 

[firefox1234]

Just now, SmokinwithWilly said:

You do realize the reason out OL is so expensive is because of this FO. Right? 

It was either that or watch Bryce get killed some more then get canned cause that’s their bosses golden boy.

[Doc LRB]

Great pick!!!! Go Panthers!!1

 

 

[SurvivalSloth]

[MHS831]

let me elaborate....Ekwonu was an average (at best) LT.  His contract and injury make him a very unique situation.  If he comes back, it is likely that he loses some of his lateral movement and agility.  When he was drafted, many said he'd be a great G if he does not work out at T.  This season, our guards turn 30.  The $$ we are paying them + paying Bryce.  Ekwonu should move inside, making us younger and cheaper at 2 positions.  So long term, this was a great move--and I am surprised that we did it.

We will try to get a LB in round 2, but a DT is possible too.  Boston (WR) is also an option 

[flagfootballcoach28]

1 minute ago, carpanfan96 said:

He's 100% a project player and everyone should hope like hell that he doesn't see the field this year. That said I don't mind the pick because Carolina has a good online coach and he shouldn't be pressed to start this season at all. 

Exactly, I hate it. “Hoping like hell” that pick #19 doesn’t see the field is never a good feeling.. Of course the best GM Howie Roseman take Lemon right after us.  So frustrating 

[flagfootballcoach28]

3 minutes ago, SurvivalSloth said:

Post XL’s RAS scores while you’re at it 

[Cpt slay a ho]

I have questions about the logic behind the pick but no problem with the player.

There’s been a lot invested in the oline with very little to show, what exactly is the identity we are trying to build ? 
 

 

[carpanfan96]

1 minute ago, flagfootballcoach28 said:

Exactly, I hate it. “Hoping like hell” that pick #19 doesn’t see the field is never a good feeling.. Of course the best GM Howie Roseman take Lemon right after us.  So frustrating 

You shouldn't hate it, they basically got the best LT in this draft at 19 because he doesn't have experience and needs refinement on technique because of that lack of experience. If he had started another year in college, he goes top 10 bare minimum this draft if not higher. 

[Jacabee]

This team heavily invested in the O-line during last year’s offseason. It was the right move to start building the offense, but we now have an inordinate amount of resources tied up there for the foreseeable future.

Assuming Freeling develops, he’ll give us the flexibility to more evenly distribute those resources across other units while maintaining talent across the O-line. That means two or three key contributors in the future versus one starting rookie safety or receiver today. 

Edited April 24 by Jacabee

[Donald LaFell]

54 minutes ago, firefox1234 said:

This is probably what it felt to draft Otah but this time we’re not giving up a future first.

Almost made the 2008 Monday night game with it. 
 

Otah was a great pick he just had those injury problems 

[RumHam]

Finally

 

SHUT THE fug UP ABOUT WR IN THE FIRST. NON BALL KNOWERS.