It feels like just yesterday that Monroe Freeling arrived in Athens as a lanky, high-upside tackle. Fast forward to 2026 and he’s a 6-foot-7, 315-pound mountain of a man who spent the last season for the Bulldogs making life miserable for opposing edge rushers.
Allowing only 1 sack in 469 pass-blocking attempts, Freeling is the "dancing bear" that NFL GMs dream about. He has the nimble feet, massive reach, and a mean streak that reveals itself the second the ball is snapped.
NFL Draft buzz has Freeling firmly in the Top 15 entering Thursday night. His pass protection is already at a professional grade, though he’ll need to continue adding play strength to handle the bull-rushers of the AFC North. If I were a GM, I'd want this guy protecting my franchise quarterback.
Monroe Freeling is a steal anywhere in the first round.
Freeling is the type of cornerstone player you draft to protect a franchise quarterback for the next decade. If he falls past the top 10, someone isn't paying attention.
NFL teams don't get many chances to draft an offensive lineman who can contribute right from the start. Freeling is that guy. With 4.93 speed in the 40 and a 9 ft, 7in broad jump, he packs the speed and power needed to put edge rushers in their place--away from the quarterback.
Offensive linemen usually don't get the attention like the flashy skilled position players, but Freeling will soon have the spotlight on him as his name is called in the first round of the NFL Draft. He's put in the hard work in the weight room and on the field to get to the next level, and that work ethic will soon be rewarded with a well-deserved contract and the chance to continue his commitment to winning in the NFL for years to come.