Name: Monroe Freeling
Position: Tackle
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6-7, 315
40-yard dash: 4.93 seconds
Bench: Did not bench
Vertical: 33.5 inches
Broad: 9-foot-7
3-cone: Did not run
20-yard shuttle: Did not run
View photos of 2026 NFL Draft tackle prospect Monroe Freeling.
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) blocks Florida edge Kamran James (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) blocks against Florida edge Tyreak Sapp (94) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) sets up to block against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (24) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (24) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (24) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (24) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (24) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
How he fits: Freeling is one of the most athletic tackles to enter the draft in decades with an RAS (Relative Athletic Score) of 99.99 out of 100, ranking No. 2 out of 1,512 offensive tackles from 1987 to 2026. He's got the kind of length, long arms (34 3/4), quickness and athleticism teams love at the position with room to still add mass and strength to his frame.
Freeling was a full-time starter at left tackle for the Bulldogs last season. He's still a little raw with only 17 collegiate starts under his belt, but there's a lot to work with here.
The Lions could still be looking for a starter at either left or right tackle depending on where they decide to play All-Pro Penei Sewell in 2026. The team released veteran left tackle Taylor Decker last week and signed veteran Larry Borom in free agency. The team also returns Giovanni Manu and Devin Cochran at tackle.
Key observations: Freeling's pass blocking grade of 85.6 from Pro Football Focus ranked in the Top 10 among all FBS tackles last season.
What they had to say about him: "Freeling was the full-time starter at left tackle for the Bulldogs last season. He has ideal size, bend and agility for the position. In pass protection, he's quick out of his stance. He bends easily and can smoothly redirect versus counter rushers. When he lands his punch, he can steer and control defenders. However, if he gives up his chest, he will get tugged/pulled. He needs to gain more core strength to eliminate that problem. In the run game, he can roll his hips, latch and control defenders. He's excellent on combo blocks, attacking the hip of the DT before peeling off to wall off linebackers.
Freeling battled through injuries in 2025, but he was playing his best late in the year. If he can continue to add strength, he has starting-LT ability." – NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah
Go behind the scenes with the Detroit Lions during 2026 free agency.
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Larry Borom during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) signs a free agent contract at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) signs a free agent contract at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien signs his contract during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien signs his contract during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Christian Izien during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin and his family during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 12, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
How he stacks up: Freeling came in at No. 20 on Jeremiah's list of the Top 50 prospects in this year's NFL Draft. Dane Brugler of The Athletic had Freeling No. 21 on his list of the Top 100 prospects.
"I received some pushback in November after Freeling made the cut for my first 2026 mock draft. But the more eyes that checked him out, the quieter the criticism became," Brugler said of Freeling. "His youth is evident, but so too are his big-man athleticism and the upside needed to be a long-term NFL starter."
ESPN's Matt Miller ranks Freeling as the No. 25 overall prospect in the class on his most recent list of the Top 50 players.
"Freeling's movement skills, agility and quickness were easy to see in his one season as a starter and carried over to his combine workout. Freeling posted an impressive 4.93 40-yard dash at 315 pounds, and his tape against elite SEC pass rushers matched what we saw in Indianapolis," Miller said of Freeling. "A true left tackle, his pass protection upside is very high and points to a future as a rock-solid starter."
ESPN's Field Yates and Mel Kiper Jr. rank Freeling as the No. 22 and No. 17 prospect, respectively, in the class.
What he had to say: "Honestly, yoga just really helps with injury prevention," Freeling said at the Combine of his mother, a yoga instructor, getting him into the practice as a freshman in high school. "It's huge on getting comfortable in compromising positions, just being flexible, and also the mindfulness part. Being mindful of your body and how you feel is really important on how you stay twitchy and play fast on the football field."
