Panthers draft Georgia OT Monroe Freeling in first-round

The Carolina Pnathers have drafted Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the No. 19 pick in the first-round of the 2026 NFL draft. Freeling will compete for a starting role with the Panthers, who have left tackle Ikem Ekwonu dealing with a patellar tendon injury.

The 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle has excellent athleticism and the prototypical size for an NFL offensive lineman. Freeling put on a show at the NFL combine, where he was among the top performers.

In fact, Freeling was the first player in NFL combine history to be stand at least 6 feet, 7 inches, weigh at least 315 pounds and post a sub-5.00 40-yard dash, a vertical jump of over 30 inches and a broad jump over nine feet. Freeling's 4.93 second 40-yard dash time was tied for fourth best among offensive linemen. His 1.71 10-yard split was second-best among OL.

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) blocks Texas Longhorns edge rusher Trey Moore

Freeling has some questions surrounding how he'll perform in the NFL given his lack of starting experience. finished his Georgia career with 17 starts and 35 appearances, but he did not receive a ton of snaps until his junior season at Georgia.

Freeling drew comparisons to Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones ahead of the draft. Freeling has the athleticism to compete in the NFL, but he'll have to adjust to the speed of the game and further refine his technique. The Georgia product has the potential to be the draft's best offensive lineman.