Every class of NFL prospects can be separated into buckets based on their declarations. We know ahead of time which seniors will be NFL-bound. A handful of blue-chip underclassmen can be penciled in, too. But in a 250-man class, there is bound to be a sizable portion of prospects who can truly go either way, punching their ticket to the pros or capitalizing on college football's era of player empowerment.
Count Georgia Bulldogs left tackle Monroe Freeling among those in that final category. A junior coming off his first full season as a starter, Freeling is an unfinished product with tons of promise. Spending his senior season at Georgia would mean competing for a championship and entering the 2027 draft cycle as a potential first-round pick, perhaps the first-ranked tackle in his class.
Instead, Freeling is headed to the league, banking on his tools and recent play to catapult him into the first round. In a suboptimal tackle class, he is striking the iron while it's hot.
Monroe Freeling's strengths will have NFL teams interested
The first round would not be complete without hitting its quota of developmental prospects dripping with physical tools. Freeling, at 6'6", 315 pounds, has above-average size and an anchor that shows up on tape. The athleticism, which will likely be reflected in your favorite metric this spring, is even more impressive.
Freeling's game starts from the ground up. He has exceptionally quick feet and is efficient out of his stance. He keeps his feet active, and his base generally provides him with ample power.
Likewise, Freeling's athleticism is multifaceted. He's quick off the line and has plenty of speed to get vertical and make plays in the second level. While he won't be pulling often at the next level, he should be comfortable doing so -- and it might make left guard a fallback option down the road. Freeling's ability to move laterally is a key strength that helps him eliminate speed rushers and make plays in the run game.
Elsewhere, Freeling possesses a handful of traits that should push teams to buy in on his potential. His processing stands out, similar to Olu Fashanu coming out of Penn State, and I have no concerns about his ability to handle stunts on Sundays. Freeling has work ahead of him with his hand usage, but he has ample grip strength and some dominant wins when his technique is right.
MORE: Best fits for mid-round quarterbacks, from John Mateer to Carson Beck
There is plenty of upside in this profile, and after allowing just nine pressures (via PFF), there is proof of concept as an NFL-ready pass protector.
Freeling's run blocking is a significant hurdle
Unlike most developmental tackles, Freeling's pass protection is strong. It's his run game that's the issue, and while it may not stop him from starting in Year 1, Freeling's inconsistency in the ground game limits his immediate impact potential.
Too often, Freeling's leverage or hand usage results in an ugly miss, an issue that has shown up against both interior linemen and edge rushers. He can be caught lunging at times, and while he has the speed to get to the second level, it often turns into a bit of an adventure.
| PFF Pass Block Grade | 85.1 |
| Zone Run Block Grade | 64.7 |
| Gap Run Block Grade | 53.5 |
| Penalties | 2 |
| Sacks | 3 |
| Pressures | 9 |
Freeling hasn't yet proven he can sustain blocks long enough (and consistently enough) to confidently run behind. He is rarely overpowered, but defenders can win against the grain and explode past him after disrupting his timing. For an elite athlete like Freeling, that's indicative of technical concerns.
In pass protection, I'm interested in seeing just how well he counters bend when the opposition gets a little faster. He handled it well in 2025, but the angles weren't always ideal (especially with a quarterback happy to drop back a little too far). Realistic gains are waiting for him with an NFL offensive line coach and some time to marinate, allowing him to counter edge rushers later in reps and further tap into his physical gifts.
Freeling's NFL projection
By virtue of being a project, Freeling's median comes in lower than the typical first-round pick. Still, that's not an indictment on his potential or his likelihood of being taken in Round 1. He's coming off a great platform season, playing at a high-value position in a weak class. Every signal suggests that he'll be a first-round pick in April, making his declaration a good choice.
Freeling will test incredibly well, can play both tackle spots, and is battle-tested by the SEC. He's likely to start early on, and while I expect some bumps on the road, he projects as a "win with" starter.
The right landing spot -- including a good position coach and the opportunity to stick at left tackle uninterrupted -- could go a long way in making Freeling a standout left tackle. At the time of his declaration, he has a second-round grade on my board.
More NFL Draft news
- Trinidad Chambliss landing spots: Where will experts project Mississippi QB?
- Caleb Downs' decision puts key NFL theory to the test
- Mansoor Delane scouting report: LSU transfer could be top-15 pick
- Ty Simpson's decision, explained