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

[MHS831]

Everyone on the board at 19 had some reason to question their future success.  If you focus on the deficiencies of your pick vs. the strengths of everyone else, you will always see it as a half empty glass.   My view?  Tackle was a red flag here--Ickey out and may never be the same and the same was not worth the money he would demand.  Moton is old and playing on a peg leg, and Stone Forsythe could not be successful as a homeless man's body guard.  

This pick has risks just like those before us and after us. I think he has the potential to be the best LT in this draft--and that is more valuable than a S or TE.  

As much as I did not think they would do it--and I do not see the top of the draft as one that had typical "can't miss" OT prospects.  We will be OK.  Freeling is a coachable, eager, smart, athletic player. We could have done much worse. I had him going off the board around pick 12, so I did not give him much focus.  I love building through the OL, and we were scary at OT--better on paper than in reality, in fact.  I get it.  Morgan is solid, in my view.

[XClown1986]

9 minutes ago, CmC2k said:

The only tackle to score higher on the RAS scale than Monroe Freeling is Trent Williams. This type of build and athlete don't grow on trees. The physical skill set is elite, so it allows him to be a little sloppy with his technique as of now, but the guy is only 21 years old the sky is limit with this kid. 

Trent Williams scored a 9.64

Monroe Freeling had a 9.99

[shaqattaq]

10 hours ago, SOJA said:

OT is a MAJOR need and let's all be honest, Ickey, even before the injury has been up and down. 

 

Freeling has All Pro potential. if he had gone back to UGA he's probably a top 5 pick. this is an EXCELLENT pick. He can even take a redshirt year this year 

My thoughts exactly! Before his injury Icky was not a perineal pro-bowler anyway. He was  mid-tier, slightly above average. We were getting ready to overpay or let him walk.

As to the rest of our line...Moton cost's $28.4 million next year, we can save $14.5M with $13.9M dead money ($7M in 27 and $7M in 28 if we call it post 6/1, with $21.5M off our 27 cap). I have a feeling we let him play out 27 though if he's able. I've been hearing about his bum knee for 3 years and he hasn't slowed down yet.

Releasing Hunt saves us $13.7M with $10.6M dead ($5.3 in 27 and 28 if post 6/1 with $19M savings in 27.).He's a beast, let him play it out IMO.

Cutting Lewis next year saves $13M with only $3.75 dead money. No way we can afford not to do that. Look for his replacement to be drafted on Saturday.

I think Fortner works out and earns himself an extension. 

[MHS831]

14 minutes ago, Jay Roosevelt said:

It wasn't my favorite strategy, but I'd have been fine with Makai Lemon or Omar Cooper Jr. I'm just not a KCC fan at all.

I wanted Lemon, actually, but the locker room is very important.  Nothing disrupts the chemistry more than a loud, crazy, disgruntled WR.  He will become that.  They said he sucked during interviews.  

 

[Mistuh Jones]

39 minutes ago, trueblue said:

I’m generally fine with bolstering the lines. But at 19, and as many holes as this team has, NOT taking a sure fire starter is a head scratcher. 

but isn't that drafting for need instead of BPA?

[frankw]

I just do not understand the he won't be a starter talk. We had injuries along the OL last season. Every team does. That's why you keep drafting linemen.

[CPF4LIFE]

16 minutes ago, pantherclaw said:

You want to complain. Go ahead.  I really don't give a fug. 

So me asking a question is complaining? Fair enough, I forgot how sensitive you are. 

[MHS831]

There are three positions that we have had that are very difficult to fill and we went without for a long time--QB, Edge, OT.  

If they are on the board when you pick and you can upgrade, you take them--I just did not see Morgan doing it.

Freeling was not a second rounder (I forget who said that).  If we selected Concepcion or Sadiq, I would not like it.  Freeling?  OK.  I get it.

lets move on

[Navy_football]

16 minutes ago, Martin said:

I think you’re comparing apples and pineapples here. Rankings within other positions has no bearing on the overall player ranking

I understand all that. But no way there were 5 OTs better than Makai Lemon, Dillon Thieneman or Chris Johnson. 

The pick was for future need and cap relief. I'm not saying that's wrong. It's probably the right move. But he was not the best player available that would have the greatest impact this season. 

We'll just hope that Nick Scott turns into an athletic freak, CSW learns how to cover slots and TEs, or Metchie/Jimmy Horn break out this season. At least one of those things can happen. Right? In the meantime they'll be developing our future LT. Which is important too. We'll see how it works out. 

[KillerKat]

1 minute ago, CPF4LIFE said:

So me asking a question is complaining? Fair enough, I forgot how sensitive you are. 

The dude is straight mental, best just to ignore him.

[csx]

1 hour ago, CPF4LIFE said:

Then why did he last till 19? 

Lack of experience 

[CPF4LIFE]

15 minutes ago, KillerKat said:

Quote me saying he will bust. Go ahead. I actually am OK with the pick. Im just asking a legit question. And you wonder why no one likes talking to you.

Exactly.  Lol

[Mistuh Jones]

from what I've seen this kid and how he moves- he could be a Landon Johnson type guy for us 

[flagfootballcoach28]

2 hours ago, pantherclaw said:

Georgia LT Monroe Freeling: 1.8% Pressure Rate Allowed in 2025

 

Best Among All Left Tackles in College Football

The stat is skewed because UGA threw quick screens and 3 step drop passes more than pretty much any other team in the nation. His “true pass block grade” was barely top 30 in the nation.