Carolina’s rookie first-round pick, Monroe Freeling, is getting absolutely no help out there, and fans need to grasp what that means when the regular season kicks off. According to ESPN’s Mike Kaye, this kid is blocking one-on-one a staggering 75 percent of the time as the Panthers’ starting right tackle during preseason. Seriously, 75 percent!
Thrown Into The Fire, Solo
Let’s be clear: the jump from college football to the pros is brutal. It’s the biggest gap in any sport, period. Rookies usually get eased in, but not Freeling. He’s been thrust into the starting lineup because of some huge absences. Longtime left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is out with a knee injury, on the PUP list. Then there’s right tackle Taylor Moton, who’s dealing with a blood clot and on the NFI list. So, it’s Freeling at right tackle, with veteran Rasheed Walker on the left. The team is just letting Freeling figure it out on his own, sink or swim.
Rookie Struggles Are Real, But So Are The Challenges
Kaye’s breakdown from the summer is telling: Freeling has allowed two pressures across 12 pass-blocking snaps in his first two preseason games. That’s not terrible on paper, but when you consider he’s getting “little help” on that side, facing one-on-one matchups 75 percent of the time, it paints a different picture. He’s had some legitimately rough moments, especially during joint practices with the Houston Texans. Think about it: who wouldn’t struggle when Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson are coming at you? It’s not just the pro jump, either. Freeling played left tackle for the vast majority of his time at Georgia, with 1,102 of his 1,369 offensive snaps on the blindside. Now he’s on the right side. It’s a new position, minimal help, and he’s a rookie.
This kid’s first regular-season challenge is going to be absolutely massive. In Week 1, Freeling lines up across from Montez Sweat. You remember Sweat, right? He led the Chicago Bears with 10.0 sacks just last season. That’s a brutal welcome to the NFL for a rookie playing a new position with barely any support. Fans better be ready for what’s coming.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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