Panthers HC Dave Canales is asked for early takeaways on OT Monroe Freeling

One of the Carolina Panthers' newest big men is getting even bigger.

Head coach Dave Canales, during his chat with reporters following Saturday's installment of rookie minicamp, offered up a few early takeaways on first-round pick and offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. And according to Canales, the 6-foot-7, 315-pound hog molly may now be a smidge larger than 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds.

"I mean, first of all, he looks great," he stated. "He's been working really hard. Just trying to continue to increase his strength and do those things. Showed up, I think he was about 325 (pounds)—and looked great, moved well, showed the length and all the things."

Canales was then asked if the Panthers had talked to Freeling about adding some extra mass.

"Not really, that was just kinda an emphasis of his," Canales replied. "The guy's 21 years old—so he's still growing into whatever his frame is. I think he played somewhere in the 310's-ish—or something like that, 315—during the season.

"But as we know, seasons get long and guys have a chance to settle in and focus on things, and the work showed up. He looks great, he's moving well—so, really pleased with that."

Freeling was taken by the Panthers with the 19th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. The second-team All-SEC selection, despite going in the second half of the first round, was widely viewed as the best true left tackle prospect of the class.

His fit, at least as a rookie, may be in question—as Carolina signed top free-agent left tackle Rasheed Walker as insurance to starter . But his fitness, which has seemingly impressed Canales and the coaching staff, might be providing the Panthers with some encouraging answers.