The Carolina Panthers' offensive line isn't going to look exactly how the team would like to in Week 1. Starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is going to be out for a while after getting injured at the end of the 2025 season, and right tackle Taylor Moton is out indefinitely with blood clots.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the team added tackle Monroe Freeling in the first round. The hope originally was to use Freeling as a swing tackle during his rookie season, but due to those injuries, the rookie will have to start immediately.
As of right now, it looks like free agent signing Rasheed Walker will play left tackle, while Freeling will man the right side. Freeling has handled the spot well during training camp, but he's still a rookie. Plus, the Panthers don't have great depth at tackle now with all the injuries.
As a result, the Panthers could look to add a veteran free agent before Week 1.
Cam Robinson Would Make Sense for Panthers
One of the best available tackles is veteran Cam Robinson. Robinson entered the league as a second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2017.
Robinson spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Jaguars, but he's bounced around since then. The veteran spent 2025 with the Cleveland Browns, where he started in 12 games for the team.
Grant Gordon of NFL.com recently identified the best landing spots for the top remaining free agents. Gordon picked the Panthers for Robinson due to the team's injuries at the position.
"This is a big year in Charlotte as Dave Canales' squad looks to build off winning the NFC South last season and quarterback Bryce Young is in a massive time-is-now campaign," Gordon explained. "With how precarious the tackle spot is now, depth and a veteran to support Freeling is huge."
As Gordon mentioned, this is a pivotal season for the Panthers, so they can't afford to gamble at tackle. Right now, if Freeling struggles, the Panthers' backup options are Albert Reese IV and Stone Forsythe. Robinson would clearly be an upgrade over those two.
Robinson shouldn't be relied upon as a full-time starter at this point, but that's not what the Panthers need. Ekwonu and Moton will both be back eventually, and there's real belief that Freeling can be a long-term starter.
Robinson has 114 starts under his belt, so at the very least, he could be a good mentor for Freeling as he adjusts to the NFL.
