Panthers Draft Monroe Freeling: Protecting Young

0:00On April 24th, Panthers came out swinging on the first night of the 2026 NFL draft, grabbing offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with their top pick. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound beast from West Virginia has General Manager Dan Morgan, head coach Dave Canalis, and even quarterback. Bryce Young hyped up like they just hit a grand slam. Team brass sees him as the perfect shield for Young, who's been under fire since his rookie year. Swing size and pass blocking skills make him a steal in their eyes, especially after trading up to snag him early. Experts are mostly on board, but grades spread from a low C up to A+. Outlets like the athletic and USA Today handed out Bs, while sporting news and underdog sports went full A territory. A few like Bleacher reports they cautious with that C, citing some run blocking questions, but the consensus leans positive at a round of B+. Average This move locks down the line for years, setting Young up to finally cook.

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