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

[PadresPanthersFan]

Maybe not the pick some wanted but the pick we needed.  As many mentioned here our ot situation is a mess this year and a disaster next year. Icky is out this year and may never return to form. Moton is getting old and the mileage is starting to tax him. And the gb ot is a 1 year rental. We needed a high upside ot and those are hard to get after the first round. 

I'm also glad it wasn't a wr or Sadiq so that's another check in the win column for me. 

[wesley17]

 

[wesley17]

 

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

5 minutes ago, PadresPanthersFan said:

Maybe not the pick some wanted but the pick we needed.  As many mentioned here our ot situation is a mess this year and a disaster next year. Icky is out this year and may never return to form. Moton is getting old and the mileage is starting to tax him. And the gb ot is a 1 year rental. We needed a high upside ot and those are hard to get after the first round. 

I'm also glad it wasn't a wr or Sadiq so that's another check in the win column for me. 

before the Freeling pick, we were 1-2 injuries away from Stone Forsythe and Chandler Zavala starting

[strato]

11 minutes ago, Dave Gettleman's Shorts said:

before the Freeling pick, we were 1-2 injuries away from Stone Forsythe and Chandler Zavala starting

Either we, or Zavala, need to something about Zavala. I thought regressed like hell last year. 

[flagfootballcoach28]

1 hour ago, carpanfan96 said:

Last year was his first real experience on online, we are talking about a dude who was around 240 like 4 1/2 years ago and just started bulking up big time recently. 

 

He needs a NFL nutrition plan and good coaching which he will get. 

When a 6'7 mountain of a man can't start as a freshman or a sophomore, that's a red flag. Usually there's a reason why.. 

 

He played at UGA.. You can argue that their coaching and nutrition program is better than most NFL programs.

His technique is a mess. He lunges way too much. Not overly physical. Had a 62 run blocking score vs college competition..His strength is pass blocking, but how often were pass rushers allowed to pin their ears back against that UGA run-heavy offense?? What elite pass rusher did he ever face? His reps vs Kendrick Faulk were underwhelming. It's on YouTube. He had only 113 "true pass blocking" reps, which exclude quick screens and throws under 2 seconds. He was  30th in the nation. But even in those 113 reps, the defender had to be aware of the run much more than they usually would since they were playing UGA. He was hidden by UGA's offense. The more I think about it, I'll be surprised if this kid ever starts a complete 17-game season for us. He has so much to overcome. 

[carpanfan96]

15 minutes ago, Dave Gettleman's Shorts said:

before the Freeling pick, we were 1-2 injuries away from Stone Forsythe and Chandler Zavala starting

They are still in the same spot injury wise. Well, they hope they are at least. He's a great pick for the 2027-2028 Panthers team but not so much so for the 2026-2027 team. 

 

Even those that like the pick, admit it's a punt for the upcoming season as he's not likely to make a difference this season. 

[csx]

38 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Canales said in his interview that Freeling is going to play. He said he was too good of a player not to be on the field somewhere. So take that how you want. 

With the number of OL combinations we went through last year....and nearly every year it only makes sense.

[carpanfan96]

46 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Canales said in his interview that Freeling is going to play. He said he was too good of a player not to be on the field somewhere. So take that how you want. 

That's absolutely terrifying if you play behind that line if he sees the field for anything besides being an extra lineman on goal line rushes 5-6 times a game. 

 

His technique is awful, his combine drills were worse than dreadful... but he's got the tools to be a 10-12 year probowl LT if they sit him and help fix the technique issues. 

Edited April 24 by carpanfan96

[TheSpecialJuan]

Gotta hurt #Panthers to be paying Ikem Ekwonu $17.56M in 2026 in cash and cap. Mature decision to select Monroe Freeling even after signing Rasheed Walker.

Fixed Left Tackle for a decade. Reminds me of when Titans took Taylor Lewan in ‘14 despite having Michael Roos and David Stewart under contract.

Pro Bowl Left Tackles don’t grow on
https://x.com/nfldraftbites/status/2047521508872901089?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

[strato]

4 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Gotta hurt #Panthers to be paying Ikem Ekwonu $17.56M in 2026 in cash and cap. Mature decision to select Monroe Freeling even after signing Rasheed Walker.

Fixed Left Tackle for a decade. Reminds me of when Titans took Taylor Lewan in ‘14 despite having Michael Roos and David Stewart under contract.

Pro Bowl Left Tackles don’t grow on
https://x.com/nfldraftbites/status/2047521508872901089?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

Adding insult to literal injury, they were extending him. Long term we dodged a bullet, but for this year you have to think the plan was signing bonus, low annual salary for 2026, get some cap room back from that 17.5 million. Nah, you pay the 17.5, and for nothing.  

Edited April 24 by strato

[MrBubba]

 

[flagfootballcoach28]

1 minute ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Gotta hurt #Panthers to be paying Ikem Ekwonu $17.56M in 2026 in cash and cap. Mature decision to select Monroe Freeling even after signing Rasheed Walker.

Fixed Left Tackle for a decade. Reminds me of when Titans took Taylor Lewan in ‘14 despite having Michael Roos and David Stewart under contract.

Pro Bowl Left Tackles don’t grow on
https://x.com/nfldraftbites/status/2047521508872901089?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

A raw, inexperienced LT with day 2 caliber film is no guarantee he's going to be a franchise LT. We tried going for the home run when we should've gone for the double instead. (Thinemen, KC, Lemon, McDonald, Rodriguez)

[carpanfan96]

It sounds like I hate the pick but I don't, he just doesn't help this year's team much. If the staff can fix the technique issues, you've got a 10+ year probowl LT. Which immediately makes this a good pick because at 19 in the first, the gamble is 100% worth it.