
Spurs' Wembanyama captures first career DPOY
Victor Wembanyama captures his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award!
Monroe Freeling, a Georgia Offensive Lineman, is projected to be selected 17th overall by the Detroit Lions in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Scouts are finalizing their evaluations as the draft approaches.
Mentioned in this story
The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching fast and league scouts are solidifying their big boards. Offensive Lineman Monroe Freeling could be among the players who hear their name called early in Pittsburgh this week when the NFL welcomes its newest class of rookies.
USA TODAY Sports has all the latest on where the prospect out of Georgia may land.
Here's how USA TODAY's latest mock draft currently projects draft day will play out for the former college star.
Nate Davis' Fit Analysis:
The 21-year-old may be the best pure left tackle prospect in this draft. But with only 16 college starts, he'd have to get up to speed quickly in order to fill in for departed Taylor Decker immediately. But, don't forget, the Lions plucked starting RG Tate Ratledge out of Athens a year ago. Detroit could also move RT Penei Sewell to QB Jared Goff's blind side and let Freeling adapt to the right side.
Ayrton Ostly's Big Board Rank: No. 27
Huge, powerful frame that shows up with a great anchor in pass protection. Went from 21 pressures allowed in 2024 to nine in 2025. Good initial quickness off the snap should ensure he stays in front of faster edge rushers. Needs to improve his hand usage and upright playing style in order to last as more than a swing tackle in the NFL.
Campus Intel:
Monroe Freeling is a player whose best football may still be ahead of him. He declared for the draft after just three college seasons and 18 total starts, all at left tackle. The former five-star recruit from Charleston is next in line of Georgia first-round tackles after Amarius Mims and Broderick Jones in recent years. The 6-foot-7, 315-pounders draft stock rose with his 2025 season and the run-up to the draft including arms measuring 34 and a 4.93 40. -Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald
Monroe Freeling is projected to be drafted 17th overall by the Detroit Lions.
Monroe Freeling plays as an Offensive Lineman.
Monroe Freeling played for the University of Georgia.

Victor Wembanyama captures his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award!

2026 NBA Draft Order: Where All 60 Picks Stand Ahead of Lottery

Fred Warner is back at full strength for the 49ers' offseason training program after recovering from an ankle injury.

UConn guard Solo Ball will miss the entire 2026-27 season for wrist surgery.
Victor Wembanyama has won the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming the first unanimous winner in history. He previously finished second in DPOY voting during his rookie season.
Jaydee Canvot impresses in a strong defensive display for Crystal Palace.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
All stats from 2025 NCAA Season
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Fans have several options to choose from to watch the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Network and ESPN will have separate broadcasts, each providing a different analysis of each pick as it happens on draft night.
Cord-cutters can stream the different broadcasts on NFL+, the NFL's proprietary streaming service; ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, ESPN's streaming services; or cable alternative Fubo , which offers a free trial.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Monroe Freeling 2026 NFL mock draft: latest prediction for Georgia Offensive Lineman