Just who is the top offensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft?
That’s been a matter of debate throughout the Draft Process, and a new name has entered the conversation over the last couple weeks: Georgia left tackle Monroe Freeling. There was some chatter that Freeling could be a real riser after declaring for the Draft, and people beyond film rats took notice after a spectacular Combine workout.
Freeling is only a one-year starter and he plays like it, however he has the potential to be one of the best offensive linemen to come out of this draft class.
That said, the New York Giants should have their offensive tackle bookends set for the foreseeable future. However, it’s entirely possible that the Giants could be seeing Freeling regularly for years to come. So we should probably be familiar with the Georgia product.
Prospect: Monroe Freeling (57)
Games Watched: vs. Alabama (2025), vs. Florida (2025), vs. Georgia Tech (2025)
Red Flags: none
Measurables
Strengths
Best traits
- Size and frame
- Athleticism
- Play strength
- Competitive toughness
Monroe Freeling has an elite combination of size, length, play strength, and athleticism for an offensive tackle at the NFL level.
Freeling stands a nearly-ideal 6-foot 6 ⅝ inches, 315 pounds, with long 34 ¾ inch arms and 10 ¾ inch hands. His size belies excellent athleticism and simply effortless movement skills. Freeling is remarkably quick and agile for his size, as well as fast in space as well. He’s able to move laterally with ease, as well as redirect, get out and pull, or work to the second level.
He also has a very fluid lower body for his height, with flexible ankles and knees to maintain a wide base and excellent pad level through the rep. He has very good play strength, which allows him to anchor and re-anchor against bull rushers or defensive tackles, as well as distort the line of scrimmage as a run blocker.
Freeling’s length and movement skills give him a very high ceiling as a pass blocker, with the ability to mirror pretty much any rusher off the edge, as well as redirect to pick up blitzers. He does a good job of looking for work when not engaged and is quick to react to late pressure.
He is also a versatile run blocker who can execute any blocking scheme asked of him. His athleticism allows him to stress defenses laterally on outside zone, get out in space on screens or as a puller, or quickly work to the second level. His play strength and competitive toughness, meanwhile, allow him to distort the line of scrimmage and drive defenders off the ball when blocking downhill with good leverage. He also plays with an edge and looks for opportunities to finish his blocks with his opponents on the ground.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Experience
- Consistency
The single biggest issue in Freeling’s profile is his lack of experience. He’s a junior with just one year of starting experience, and that shows up in just about every area of his tape.
Freeling is capable of producing deeply troubling lows when his technique fails him or the game gets too fast. For all his prodigious athleticism, he can be prone to lunging at defenders, losing his leverage, and his balance. He can also stop his feet when he encounters something unexpected or forget to bring them with him if he has to make a reach block. Likewise, he’s a powerful blocker, but can be discarded with ease by defenders when he fails to win inside leverage or lunges – which often happen at the same time.
He can also arrive at his landmarks too fast, and become a very inaccurate blocker in space, at times flailing wildly at defenders who run right past him.
Game Tape
(Freeling is the Georgia left tackle, wearing number 57)
Projection
Monroe Freeling is very much a “Boom or Bust” prospect. He has the potential to grow into a Pro Bowl or All Pro caliber offensive tackle, and his tape offers tantalizing highlights of his upside.
However, his tape also offers plenty of evidence of just how far he has yet to go. As easy as it is to become enamored by Freeling’s upside, his bad tape is very bad and puts a definite “buyer beware” label on Freeling. Despite that, his prodigious upside and simply rare athletic profile means that he won’t have to wait long to hear his name called.
Freeling could well be the first tackle drafted and a Top 5 pick, but he certainly isn’t without risk.
Does he fit the Giants? No
Final Word: A first round pick
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