Carolina Panthers first-round pick Monroe Freeling has everything that NFL teams want in a modern offensive tackle. Not only does he have the monstrous size needed to keep up with pro pass rushers, but he’s also a freaky athlete—and he comes with a killer instinct and a high football IQ.
If that sounds like anybody else you know at the position, you might’ve hit the bullseye. According to a scouting report from Joe Person and Nick Baumgardner at The Athletic, Freeling has a lot in common with Philadelphia Eagles star and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Lane Johnson:
So not only is Freeling big and powerful, he’s incredibly nimble and plays with some of the best body control for a player his size you’ll ever see. Purely from a physical standpoint, his NFL comp might be Eagles legend Lane Johnson…
That’s a pretty lofty comparison for a kid who’s yet to see a single snap at the pro level. Johnson has been either the game’s best right tackle, or close to it, for over a decade now.
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Along the way, Johnson has earned six Pro Bowl nods, two first-team All-Pro selections and won multiple Super Bowl rings. Despite all that, his longevity may be the most impressive part of his game—as he’s set to enter a 14th NFL campaign in 2026.
If Freeling can approach even half of those accomplishments, he’ll go down as one of the hog mollies in Panthers history.
Ask Freeling and he’s set his sights on a couple of different pro tackles, though. For inspiration, the 21-year-old told The Athletic that he likes to watch New York Giants tackle Andrew Thomas in pass protection and Detroit Lions stud Penei Sewell in run blocking.
These are great examples to draw from. Last season, Thomas earned an 87.2 grade in pass blocking, third-best in the NFL at his position while Sewell came in a 96.8 in run blocking—good enough for first place.
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Before he can start living up to all these high-level comps, Freeling first has to secure a spot in the starting lineup. So for now, he’ll have to live up to the competition at left tackle against teammate Rasheed Walker this offseason.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers OT Monroe Freeling compared to Eagles’ Lane Johnson