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

[flagfootballcoach28]

1 minute ago, carpanfan96 said:

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. 

I was never a fan of his. He was my least favorite projected 1st round OT. I literally just saw him get beat by Keldrick Faulk’s teammate on a clip they just showed on ESPN. The odds of Freeling becoming a legit starting OT is a toss up. I wish we wouldn’t drafted a known commodity like Thienemen, Lemon, KC. 

[Jay Roosevelt]

20 minutes 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.

I wouldn't be surprised if Freeling ends up starting as a rookie.

[hepcat]

17 minutes 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. 

He’s gonna play. He won’t start at the beginning of the season but I’m sure he starts some games.  

[carpanfan96]

2 minutes ago, flagfootballcoach28 said:

I was never a fan of his. He was my least favorite projected 1st round OT. I literally just saw him get beat by Keldrick Faulk’s teammate on a clip they just showed on ESPN. The odds of Freeling becoming a legit starting OT is a toss up. I wish we wouldn’t drafted a known commodity like Thienemen, Lemon, KC. 

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. 

[carpanfan96]

Just now, hepcat said:

He’s gonna play. He won’t start at the beginning of the season but I’m sure he starts some games.  

Unless Goodwin and Gilbert work some real magic, or you hate Young.... Better hope like hell he don't. He legitimately needs to sit a year, refine his technique and add legitimate NFL bulk. 

[bobcat91]

28 minutes ago, pantherclaw said:

You're perception is so wrong, it's cute. 

You like the pick, fine. I dont and think we could have gotten a stud S for the backend of the defense. His combine wasn't good as far as real drills and we could have gotten OL later. Everyone who looks at him says hes a project. Is that truly what you want as a top 20 pick? If so go play Madden.

[TheSpecialJuan]

1 hour ago, Jay Roosevelt said:

Thank God it wasn't KC Concepcion.

Taking a WR three years in a row always seemed like a bad idea 

[Butterflyj30]

Congrats to Monroe!!

[TheSpecialJuan]

1 hour ago, JawnyBlaze said:

Well that’s deflating. Really wanted Thieneman. Woulda been happy with Lemon. 
 

edit: I mean, a good Tackle is always nice, but man Thieneman was there and seemed like a real difference maker. 

It was underwhelming no doubt but it’s the type of decision a smart front office makes. For the future OT was a major need 

[pantherclaw]

3 minutes ago, bobcat91 said:

You like the pick, fine. I dont and think we could have gotten a stud S for the backend of the defense. His combine wasn't good as far as real drills and we could have gotten OL later. Everyone who looks at him says hes a project. Is that truly what you want as a top 20 pick? If so go play Madden.

Look. I would have loved to have the safety. 

The reality is positional value comes into play. When is the last time the Panthers even selected an offensive lineman in the draft?  I get it, you preceive him as a project, therefore you dont like the pick.  His size an mobility is tops for the tackle position.   He wasn't even expected to be there.  I'll take a career cornerstone at tackle over safety every time.  

Have a great evening.  

[Tarheel119]

Most projections had this guy gone before we picked. This is good value for a guy who can be a plus starter for years.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

OT is probably the teams biggest need moving forward. Moton on his last legs, gonna be gone soon. Ickey's injury is really nasty and has a very low success rate. Most likely he never returns to form 100%. Walker is just a one year band-aid. In today's NFL you need two good OTs and they have ZERO long term answers.

If Bryce flames out, then you're forced to use the 1st next year on a QB (and possibly 2nd rounder to trade up). And then what? You drop your new top pick QB in behind an OLine with zero OTs, two aging guards and whoever ends up playing center? Total disaster.

Given that Freeling was considered a top 15 pick by most, easy decision here. Not flashy or exciting but it's the right move.

[PantherPhann89]

1 hour ago, WelshPanther said:

Always draft big guys on the lines. Hem big.

Hog Mollies...

[TD alt]

Some Huddlers will stop talking crazy once Freeling gets his legs under him. Prototypical size, length and athleticism with true LT experience.

He only allowed five pressures and one sack in 700+ snaps. What more do you want from a college prospect? I say we got a little bit of a steal.