Offensive tackle might not be the flashiest position in football, but you had better believe it's going to be one of the most important in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Among the talented prospects in this year's crop is none other than Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling.
He and every elite offensive tackles are going to be picked up early due to a major gap in talent that falls between first-round prospects and those in the following rounds.
That's a positive for Freeling because it means he's going to be one of the top draft picks, but he has even more reason to be excited. NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler sees Freeling, in addition to former Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor, going as early as between the top 15-17 picks after Fowler spoke with teams about where they were at.
Miami prospect Francis Mauigoa and Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano are already considered consensus picks to go around that range, and likely much earlier.
Fowler also noted that one NFC executive said 'Would have said no on Freeling in November but I can see it now. He fits the mold' and that an AFC executive said of Freeling, 'He's the go-higher-than-you-think guy for me.'
That's some high praise for the former Bulldog.
What scouts see in a player like Georgia's Monroe Freeling
There's a lot to like about Monroe Freeling's game as he well did his part in protecting quarterbacks Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton during his career at Georgia.
The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder made a total of 18 career starts for the Bulldogs, earning Second Team All-SEC honors in 2025 after he put on several impressive performances over 14 appearances. The former five-star prospect out of the 2023 recruiting class also earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice in 2025.
One of those honors was for his showing against the Auburn Tigers (Oct. 13) as he played through a high ankle sprain, but delivered in spite of it. That game ended in a 20-10 win for the Bulldogs.
The other time he earned the same recognition was on Nov. 17 in the 35-10 win over the Texas Longhorns.
Here's a look at the scouting report on Freeling from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.
"Freeling offers coveted length and athleticism at right tackle," Zierlein wrote. "With only one season as a full-time starter, filling out his frame and improving his technique should be early priorities. His quickness brings first-phase positioning advantages, but he needs more play strength to carry that over to block sustain and finish. Lunging and deadening feet post-punch must be coached out of his muscle memory in pass protection so his athleticism and length can do their jobs. Independent hand usage and a reliable “snatch and trap” could instantly bolster his success rate. There is some buyer beware on tape, but if smoothed out, he has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter."
Possible landing spots for Freeling
Freeling has been linked to multiple teams ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. But the Cleveland Browns at No. 6 and the Detroit Lions at No. 17 seem to be the most popular.
Zierlein sees the latter as the best fit both because of the roster and coaching staff Freeling would join.
"Really good athlete, long arms, kind of nasty, excellent in space, but he had some technical issues in terms of his pass protection... I know of no better place than the (Detroit) Lions (for him) to go. Number one, he's got (Penei) Sewell over there with him."
Regardless, we will know in just one day where exactly Freeling finds his NFL home.
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