The Carolina Panthers went big and bold Thursday night, spending the 19th overall pick on Monroe Freeling, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle out of Georgia. The selection gives Carolina a long-armed, athletic tackle prospect as the team tries to steady an offensive line that has been stretched thin by injuries and short-term patches.
The club confirmed the choice in a team release, calling the 21-year-old "one of the most athletic prospects" in the class and spotlighting his combine testing. According to Panthers.com, Freeling ran a 4.93-second 40-yard dash and checked in with long arms and a 33.5-inch vertical jump.
Freeling, a junior from Charleston, broke into Georgia's lineup and took over as the Bulldogs' full-time left tackle in 2025, logging 13 starts and earning SEC Coaches' Second Team honors. The University of Georgia roster credits him with 14 games played and 13 starts in 2025, along with that conference recognition. Per the Georgia Bulldogs, he helped anchor an offense that ranked among the nation's best last season.
What scouts liked
Scouts focused on Freeling's rare mix of size and quickness, noting his elite Relative Athletic Score and praising his bend and footwork, even while pointing out his limited college starting experience. As detailed by the Detroit Lions, Freeling's RAS checked in at roughly 99.99 out of 100, and evaluators describe him as a high-upside tackle who will likely need early work on strength and technique at the pro level.
What this means for Carolina's line
The pick also addresses a short-term depth problem after starter Ikem Ekwonu suffered a torn patellar tendon in the wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, leaving a major question mark at left tackle. The Panthers previously signed Rasheed Walker to a one-year deal and still lean on veteran Taylor Moton at tackle, according to reporting from the AP.
Locally, TV and digital outlets jumped on the pick in real time, with Channel 9 noting that Carolina is slated to pick again in the second round at No. 51. As reported by WSOC, the station planned continued draft coverage after the first round wrapped.
Reactions rolled in quickly and they were not exactly unanimous. Many observers praised the upside, while some analysts questioned whether this was the right moment for such a future-focused investment. Sports Illustrated framed the move as a "luxury, future-oriented" pick for a roster that still has obvious needs elsewhere, underscoring the split between those betting on Freeling's athletic ceiling and those calling for more immediate help. SI tracked the early debate around the selection.
