ESPN analyst explains why Georgia OL Monroe Freeling is rising up 2026 NFL Draft boards
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The SEC figures to have a worse-than-normal showing in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft when it kicks off in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23.
However, one player who could help the conference show out in Round 1 is Georgia Bulldogs OL Monroe Freeling. Some analysts have him sneaking into the top 10 of their mock drafts, but most at least agree he’s a first-round talent.
Why has the Georgia lineman risen so high up draft boards in recent weeks and months? ESPN analyst Jeff Legwold explains:
Why he rose: Some of it is physics. He has rare fluidity in his lower body for a player his size and should be able to add more strength since he won’t turn 22 until July. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.93 seconds, has 34¾-inch arms and moves like a tight end in space. Freeling also showed quality ability to react to inside counters from rushers, recover, get his feet right and win the play.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. actually had Freeling as the first SEC player off the board in his mock draft last month. In that mock, Kiper had the Cleveland Browns picking Freeling at No. 6 overall.
Will Freeling end up going in the top 10 later this month? Here’s what the latest Kalshi market has to say:
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
