On Wednesday, ESPN provided the 2026 NFL Draft prospects who provided the widest range of projections when polling executives, scouts and coaches. Among the 11 players given the most polarizing responses was Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling.
Freeling is part of a group of four offensive tackles who could be drafted early, along with Proctor, Francis Mauigoa, and Spencer Fano.
Evaluators are preaching patience with Freeling, hoping the upside pays off in Year 2 and beyond.
"Super talented but play doesn't match it," an AFC executive said. "Six-foot-7, fast, long, but first year could be rough. If you stick with it and let him play through the growing pains, he can be really good. His film isn't as good as some of the other guys right now."
One comparison for Freeling: Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann, who started slowly but eventually played his way into a four-year, $100-million extension with Indianapolis.
Freeling put together an excellent workout as the offensive linemen closed out this year's combine. He ran an official 4.93 40-yard dash, which included a 1.71 10-yard split. Additionally, Freeling had a 33.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot, 7-inch broad jump. How strong was Freeling's combine performance? Pro Football Network gave Freeling a Relative Athletic Score of 9.99 on a scale of 1 to 10, and that calculation was with his unofficial 40 time of 4.95. Freeling ranked No. 2 out of 1,512 offensive tackles measured from 1987 to 2026. The only lineman to post better metrics than Freeling was Northern Iowa offensive tackle Spencer Brown in 2021.
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."