CAR Monroe Freeling
NFL player. Position: OL (Left Tackle). Team: Carolina Panthers.
Quick Facts
- Position: Left Tackle (OL)
- Team: CAR (Carolina Panthers)
- College: Georgia
- Physical Profile: 6'7", 325 lbs
2026 Outlook
Monroe Freeling was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round (2026) out of Georgia to address critical left tackle depth. The 6'7", 325-pound tackle brings exceptional physical traits, including excellent footwork and agility for his size. Despite limited college starting experience (18 total starts at Georgia), his athleticism has impressed coaches. Freeling is one of the most athletic tackles to enter the draft in decades with a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 99.99 out of 100—ranking No. 2 out of 1,512 offensive tackles from 1987-2026. Scouts note his elite length (34¾" arms), quickness, and athleticism, with room to add mass and strength to his frame. (per 2026 NFL Draft preview: 5 tackles that could interest Lions) Freeling is competing against veteran Rasheed Walker for the starting left tackle position—a critical role for protecting QB Bryce Young's blindside in a make-or-break 2026 season. While Walker's NFL experience may give him the edge initially, Freeling's physical upside and rapid development could see him seize the starting role if his pass-blocking translates quickly to the NFL (per Biggest Position Battles That Will Define Panthers Minicamp)
Role / Depth Chart
First-round 2026 draft pick primed to start as rookie. With both starting tackles sidelined—Ikem Ekwonu (patellar tendon injury) and Taylor Moton (blood clots)—Freeling was inserted immediately into starting right tackle role at training camp. Veteran Rasheed Walker handles left tackle temporarily to replace recovering Ekwonu. Freeling's immediate starting opportunity is now confirmed (per Training Camp Injuries Just Opened the Door For These Five NFL Rookies).
Injury Status
Healthy.
Recent News
- 2026-04-23 — NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers take Georgia OT Monroe Freeling in 2026 first round (NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers take Georgia OT Monroe Freeling in 2026 first round)
- 2026-04-26 — Grading Carolina Panthers’ 2026 NFL Draft class: Freeling, Hunter headline group (Grading Carolina Panthers’ 2026 NFL Draft class: Freeling, Hunter headline group)
- 2026-06-22 — What we learned from every NFL team during offseason workouts - The Athletic (What we learned from every NFL team during offseason workouts - The Athletic)
- 2026-06-16 — Projecting Carolina Panthers’ initial 53-man roster ahead of 2026 training camp (Projecting Carolina Panthers’ initial 53-man roster ahead of 2026 training camp)
- 2026-04-30 — Which NFL Draft picks will contribute right away? One instant-impact rookie from every... (Which NFL Draft picks will contribute right away? One instant-impact rookie from every...)
- 2026-06-22 — What we learned from every NFL team during offseason workouts (What we learned from every NFL team during offseason workouts)
- 2026-04-20 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks (2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks)
- 2026-06-22 — Ranking the top 10 NFL offseasons: Myles Garrett trade was a win-win for two teams on... (Ranking the top 10 NFL offseasons: Myles Garrett trade was a win-win for two teams on...)
- 2026-05-04 — Browns' Shedeur Sanders among 26 NFL veterans on thin ice after 2026 draft (Browns' Shedeur Sanders among 26 NFL veterans on thin ice after 2026 draft)
- 2026-04-16 — 2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs (2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs)