Panthers Draft Reacts: Fans are generally positive about the Freeling selection

TL;DR

Carolina Panthers fans are generally positive about the selection of Monroe Freeling, the offensive tackle chosen 19th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. 80% of fans rated the pick an A or B, indicating strong support despite missing out on big-name playmakers.

Key points

Monroe Freeling selected 19th overall by the Panthers
80% of fans rated the pick an A or B
Concerns about the future of tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton

Carolina Panthers2026 NFL DraftMonroe FreelingIkem Ekwonu

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling is selected by the Carolina Panthers as the number 19 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Fans of the Carolina Panthers are happy today after general manager Dan Morgan selected Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft last night. Questions abound regarding the futures of both left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (ruptured patellar tendon) and right tackle Taylor Moton (going on 32). Freeling is a raw, but promising, offensive tackle who can both take his time to develop behind the tackles already on the roster and provide much needed depth during the season in the event where injuries force him onto the field in 2026. It is almost always wise to grab a talented offensive lineman in the draft when you can. It is doubly so when your team has foreseeable needs along the line. That wisdom has helped curb some of the sting of the Panthers passing on some big name playmakers on both sides of the ball in favor of Freeling and is probably why the vast majority of fans gave this selection a positive grade last night.

That’s 80% of Panthers fans giving this pick an A or B. That’s more positive than folks were about the pick last season (an even 35/35 split for A and B). Of course, no pick is taken in a vacuum, so we’ll have to see what happens tonight and tomorrow before we get too excited about this draft class. We can wait to rush to FanDuel to bet on the Panthers winning the Super Bowl for the first consecutive time until after the entire draft is in the books. *Checkout , the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.*

Q&A

Who did the Carolina Panthers draft in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Carolina Panthers drafted Monroe Freeling, an offensive tackle from Georgia, with the 19th overall pick.

What percentage of Panthers fans rated the Monroe Freeling pick positively?

80% of Panthers fans rated the Monroe Freeling pick an A or B.

What are the concerns regarding the Panthers' offensive line after the draft?

Concerns include the future of left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who has a ruptured patellar tendon, and right tackle Taylor Moton, who is approaching 32 years old.

Panthers Draft Reacts: Fans are generally positive about the Freeling selection

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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