The Panthers have been busy at tackle this offseason. Not only did they add Rasheed Walker, but the reigning NFC South champs are bringing in Georgia’s Monroe Freeling in the first round.
[RELATED: Freeling’s Prospect Profile]
Freeling, chosen 19th overall, joins a Carolina team that lost LT starter Ikem Ekwonu to a patellar tendon tear in the wild-card round. Carolina now rosters Walker, Freeling, Ekwonu and longtime RT Taylor Moton. Ekwonu is expected to miss a large chunk of 2026 (if not all of it). Cognizant of that, the Panthers brought in Walker on a cheaper-than-expected deal in free agency to provide a capable stopgap. Walker was a starter in 48 of 51 games with the Packers from 2023-25. Moton, meanwhile, has started in all but one of his 129 appearances since 2018.
With Walker and Moton in the fold, it is unclear if the soon-to-be 22-year-old Freeling will step into the starting lineup immediately. He should not have to wait long, though, with Ekwonu and Walker on track to reach free agency a year from now. Moton is on a pricey contract for two more years, but he will turn 32 in August.
A native of Charleston, S.C., Freeling took over as the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle late in 2024. The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder continued in that role last season and earned second-team All-SEC honors for his efforts. Freeling elected to leave Georgia instead of returning for his senior season, and his stock skyrocketed during the pre-draft process. While receiver, safety, cornerback and linebacker were other potential first-round routes for the Panthers, they were bullish enough on Freeland to pass on talented prospects at those spots. They are scheduled to make their next selection at No. 51 overall.