The Carolina Panthers have picked athletic superstar (work with me, here) Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Freeling is a one-year starter at left tackle for the University of Georgia and projects to be the Panthers 2027 starter at either left or right tackle depending on the statuses of current tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton.
Ekwonu (knee) and Moton (father time) are both large question marks entering both this and next season. Freeling gives the Panthers flexibility
and strength along their offensive line—both key traits for a key unit as they stare down quarterback Bryce Young’s contract year.
Here’s how our staff graded the Freeling selection:
- Walker Clement: B; while I was pulling hard for Thieneman, the Panthers did the smart thing and built from the trenches with an excellent value pick on the side of the ball that is their clear priority. It’s hard to fault them for that.
- Jon Delong: B+; I really like the player and can’t fault the Panthers for taking him. But his impact is likely going to take time to fully notice given the tackles the Panthers currently employ. This could easily be an A+ in hindsight, but it doesn’t really get the juices flowing in the here and now.
- Brian Beversluis: B; I think the pick makes absolutely perfect sense, but when you consider a first rounder as an instant impact starter, this isn’t one. Unless he takes over Walker’s position of course. Then it’s an A+. But overall, good pick from the long term looking perspective this organization has taken
- Daniel Belton: C+; Solid pick, could absolutely be a franchise LT. He’s a little raw, so it might not be an immediate impact. He’ll hopefully get to sit behind Walker for a year. They clearly aren’t sold on Icky as the future at LT, but I would have preferred a more immediately impactful player.
- Eric Buck: I’m going to say… B
Now it’s your turn. How do you grade the selection of Freeling at 19th overall?
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