Several 2026 NFL Draft hopefuls from Georgia have seen their stock move up and down following the NFL Scouting Combine, and that will only continue with Georgia's upcoming Pro Day on Thursday. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network and NFL.com, one of the industry's most prominent NFL Draft Analysts, updated his 2026 NFL Mock Draft on Tuesday, and one Georgia player jumped into the top 20, while another fell out of the first round.
Linebacker CJ Allen, who came in at No. 30 in the previous mock, is no longer projected among the first 32 picks after not working out at the combine. He will have an opportunity to change that this week during the Pro Day. Offensive tackle Monroe Freeling moved up seven spots to No. 17 overall and No. 3 among offensive linemen.
Freeling has the most upside of any tackle in this year's draft -- and the Lions have a void to fill at the position after parting ways with Taylor Decker.
Freeling appeared in all 14 games in the 2025 season, starting 13, and earning SEC Coaches All-SEC Second Team honors, along with two SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week selections. He played in 35 games in three seasons at Georgia, with 17 starts. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart discussed after the win over Texas what Freeling meant to his team during the 2025 season.
"Demeanor, character, leadership," Smart said. Approaches the game the right way. A growth mindset of being open to get better. He doesn't ever think he's arrived. He knows that he can improve and I think he knows humility is a week away in this league because he's blocking good players."
Freeling was listed as questionable for the Auburn game due to an ankle injury he suffered roughly five minutes into the game against Kentucky, from which he did not return to the field. Freeling was listed as a game-time decision 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday. He did not warm up during pre-game. Bo Hughley got the start against Auburn, making it the sixth different offensive line combination to start a game for Georgia in six games. Kirby Smart told the ABC broadcast team that Freeling would be available "if we need him." On Georgia's second possession, early in the second quarter, Freeling entered the game at left tackle and was credited with four knockdown blocks and allowed no pressures or sacks on Gunner Stockton as Georgia went 3-for-3 in the red zone. Following the win, Smart gave his thoughts bout Freeling playing through injury against Auburn.
"Guts, toughness, grit. I mean, if you told me after watching him Wednesday or whatever day it was, Thursday, when he just went out and tried to run and work out. I mean, I was questioning whether we should bring him on the trip," Smart said.
"He texted me and said, 'Coach, I'm going on this trip and I'm playing. And I'm gonna be ready.' And just says a ton about his competitive character in a day and age that some guys have to look out for themselves or whatever. He's all about the team. And he made it clear that he wanted to help this team win that game. And he played a huge role in the game, especially after the Juan (Gaston) ankle came, we had to start flip-flopping."