Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling decided to forgo his final season and take his talents to the NFL, and ESPN NFL Draft expert Field Yates could not be more excited. Freeling is coming off his lone season as the starter at Georgia, and while some teams may have worries about that, Yates lays out the reason to take a chance on the junior Bulldog.
Freeling will come into the NFL Draft at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds with an 80+ wingspan, which is one of the largest in this draft class. Freeling's pass protection ability with that size wingspan is what makes him so enticing to NFL squads.
Yates believes that Freeling's pass protection will not only be the best at left tackle but also at offensive tackle in general in this draft class, and this kind of praise could lift his draft stock significantly.
"I already think he is a great pass protector," Yates said. "I already think there is a clear path to him becoming the best pass protecting left tackle, offensive tackle, not even left only, best pass protecting tackle in this class."
Georgia OT Monroe Freeling is 6-foot-7, 315 pounds with 35” arms.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 19, 2026
He doesn’t have extensive experience compared to other OTs and he can fill out his frame more.
But I believe he has the highest upside of any OT in this class and I’m bullish on the player.
From First Draft 👇 pic.twitter.com/G3mhD6nUBl
Right now, Freeling is projected as a late first-round pick, but Yates sees him as being good enough to go midway or even early in the first round. So, if Freeling does drop later in the first, or surprisingly even into the second round, it would be a total steal for a top-notch offensive tackle.
While Field Yates can't seem to praise Freeling enough for his style of play and size on the line, there is one nagging aspect of his career that NFL teams are taking note of. Before the 2025 season, Freeling only appeared in a handful of games for Georgia.
Sure, Freeling was a starter for the entirety of the 2025 season, but he still has some developing to do, especially in terms of the NFL level. The inexperience could be a factor in why early teams choose to pass on Freeling, but Yates is saying that should be a big factor.
The size that Freeling will bring to a line will help with the inexperience. Sure, he will need to shape up for the NFL, but raw talent can't be taught, and Freeling has shown he has it.