The Carolina Panthers entered the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23 with seven picks over the three-day draft.<\/p>\n
GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales kept the franchise\u2019s offense-first drafting trend going on Thursday night by selecting Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling with the No. 19 pick. The Panthers took receivers (Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 in 2025, Xavier Legette at No. 32 in 2024) in the first round in the past two drafts and QB Bryce Young No. 1 overall in 2023 and offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu at No. 6 in 2022. The last defensive player the franchise selected in the first round was CB Jaycee Horn at No. 8 in 2021.<\/p>\n
Carolina opened its Day 2 action by trading with the Vikings to move up two picks in the second round in order to take Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter at No. 49. The Panthers received picks 49 and 196, while the Vikings got No. 51 (which became Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday) and No. 159. They capped off their night by picking another field-stretching target for Young: Tennessee wideout Chris Brazzell II, selected with pick No. 83.<\/p>\n
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each Panthers pick.<\/p>\n
Round 1No. 19: Monroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaHow He Fits<\/p>\n
The Panthers are looking to protect themselves after Ikem Ekwonu\u2019s knee injury, and Freeling adds depth and competition right away. This appears as a \u201cbest player available\u201d with an eye on the future, which is healthy. I\u2019m not sure he plays right away, but Freeling has long-term potential. Freeling is built like a left tackle with incredible length and great speed. And he\u2019s still raw and only 21 years old. \u2014 Scott Dochterman<\/p>\n
Dane Brugler\u2019s analysis<\/p>\n
A starter for one-and-a-half years at Georgia, Freeling settled in at left tackle in offensive coordinator Mike Bobo\u2019s balanced gap\/zone scheme. After coming off the bench at both left and right tackle, he became a starter over the second half of the 2024 season and showed gradual improvements each game in 2025. He earned All-SEC honors as a junior, allowing just nine pressures; he committed only one holding penalty in 18 career starts.<\/p>\n
An ascending prospect, Freeling passes the eye test with his frame, length and movements off the ball. He is quick out of his stance, regardless of what the action requires, and uses his hands to latch and control defenders. Mixing up his pass sets, redirecting vs. skilled counters and using improved leverage in the run game will be the next steps in becoming a more complete player.<\/p>\n
Joe Person\u2019s analysis<\/p>\n
Carolina Panthers select Georgia OT Monroe Freeling with No. 19 pick in 2026 NFL Draft<\/a><\/p>\n Grade: B<\/a>Round 2No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas TechHow He Fits<\/p>\n The Panthers needed to upgrade the defensive line alongside Derrick Brown, and they did so with one of the top zero-techs in the draft. Hunter (6-3 \u00bd, 318) was Texas Tech\u2019s physical run-stuffer who allowed David Bailey to get free off the edge. But make no mistake: Hunter was every bit as instrumental in the Red Raiders\u2019 success as Bailey. He\u2019ll instantly upgrade the Carolina defensive line. \u2014 Scott Dochterman<\/p>\n Dane Brugler\u2019s analysis<\/p>\n A one-year starter at Texas Tech (and three-year starter overall), Hunter lined up as the nose guard in defensive coordinator Shiel Wood\u2019s 4-2-5 base scheme. After a bad experience in his one season at Auburn, he put himself on the NFL radar at UCF and then made his presence known for the Red Raiders in 2025. Despite generating little sack production, he combined for 31.5 tackles for loss over the past three seasons.<\/p>\n With light feet for a big guy, Hunter offers a balanced blend of strength, length and movements. He can post up on run downs and shut down A-gaps, while also flashing the lateral range to make more plays away from his square than your average nose. He is naturally strong, although high pads and a narrow base can take away from his power supply. He is limited on passing downs and is more of a slow-burn pocket pusher than a man with a plan.<\/p>\n Joe Person\u2019s analysis<\/p>\n Carolina Panthers draft Lee Hunter, DT from Texas Tech, with No. 49 pick in 2026 NFL Draft<\/a><\/p>\n