Panthers break O-line draft drought with Monroe Freeling, 'challenging the roster' in the process

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Dan Morgan pointed out last week, the NFL doesn’t have a rule prohibiting teams from drafting wide receivers in the first round three years in a row.There’s nothing keeping general managers from taking an offensive lineman for the first time, either.With three first-round-caliber wide receivers still on the board, including yards-after-catch machines KC Concepcion and Omar Cooper Jr., the Carolina Panthers’ general manager opted against another playmaker with the 19th pick Thursday and selected his first offensive lineman in three drafts.Advertisement