Since left tackle is a premium position, the top collegiate LTs in a given class frequently hear their names called in the first hour of the NFL draft. This year should be no different, and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano have long been viewed as possible top-10 selections in April’s event.
But as the aptly-named Austin Mock of The Athletic (subscription required) details, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling has forced his way into the conversation. Per Mock, Freeling was a standout in February’s scouting combine, whereas Fano’s measurements were somewhat disappointing. Plus, Mauigoa and Fano have been unable to separate from each other, giving Freeling a legitimate chance to be the first offensive tackle off the board.
Freeling worked as a backup during his first season in Athens in 2023, and he was only inserted into the starting lineup as an injury replacement towards the end of the 2024 slate. However, he was anointed the starting left tackle heading into 2025, and he made the most of his opportunity, securing Second Team All-SEC honors and helping the Bulldogs to an SEC championship and a place in the CFP quarterfinals.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein believes Freeling has ideal length and athleticism for a right tackle, though it presently appears as if teams think he will be able to stick on the left side at the professional level. His limited action as a full-time starter suggests he will have some technical issues to address, but his quickness, athletic upside, and the fact that he showed considerable improvement as the 2025 season went on are all reasons to believe he can reach his high ceiling.
The Browns profile as an obvious landing spot. In a recent mock draft published by The Athletic (subscription required), Browns beat Zac Jackson acknowledged the buzz growing around Freeling and opined that Cleveland will select the 6-7, 315-lb blocker with the No. 6 overall pick (Mauigoa was mocked to the Cardinals at No. 3, and Fano was mocked to the Dolphins at No. 11).
Since they employ both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, the Browns’ quarterback situation consistently generates a great deal of attention. Regardless of whom Cleveland taps as its QB in 2026 and beyond, the team will need to improve that player’s protection, particularly on the blind side. A true franchise left tackle is not a guarantee for future success (see: Joe Thomas), but it is nonetheless a critical part of a quality roster.
In Jackson’s view, Freeling’s athletic traits are similar to those that GM Andrew Berry has sought out in prior drafts. That said, Jackson indicates Berry – who also holds the No. 24 overall pick from last year’s draft-day trade with the Jaguars – is open to trading down from No. 6.
Although the Browns boasted a strong defense in 2025, they were unable to get their offense on track and posted a disappointing 5-12 record. Berry has a lot of work to do to return Cleveland to playoff contention, and while his quarterback plan will of course be instrumental in achieving that goal, it also makes sense for him to add as much cost-controlled talent to the club as possible.
The Browns also have been heavily linked to this year’s best WR prospects. In a trade-down scenario, the team could acquire additional draft capital while still landing a tackle like Freeling or Fano as well as a receiver like Jordyn Tyson or Denzel Boston.
Dallas #12 and #20 for the Browns #6 and #39?
Only if Bain or Bailey is on the board…Who says no?!?!
Browns say no and it’s not even close. Dropping from 6 to 12 is huge!
Let’s look at some recent comparisons:
2024 – Malik Nabors vs Bo Nix
2023 – Paris Johnson vs Jahmyr Gibbs
2021 – Jaylen Waddle vs Micah Parsons
I can cherry pick examples too:
2020 – Justin Herbert vs Henry Ruggs
Lemon this draft is very different from those.
I tend to agree with T3xasmade but using a numeric “trade value” chart, the numerical value is actually quite close. I’d expect the Browns to extract a better deal than “breaking even”.
Having 3 1st round picks would be nice…they’d still get a top OT and a top WR if they want those spots.
Dallas isn’t giving up two 1sts to come up to 6…..
As a Browns fan I want Berry to stick at #6 draft Freeling and get WR Omar Cooper Jr at # 24…. and if Ty Simpson is sitting there at # 39…. DRAFT HIM … Sanders needs a quality backup
Drafting a “quality backup” at 39 would be a fireable offense
Why is drafting a better backup QB over Dillon Gabriel and DeShaun Watson a fireable offense 🤔 isn’t it Berry’s job to IMPROVE the talent on the roster🤔 Sanders needs a quality backup…..
You don’t draft a backup quarterback with the 39th overall pick. Period. I agree they need an additional option but wasting a pick that high on a guy you’d pigeonhole into a backup role would be a terrible use of resources.
The Browns have bigger needs than backup quarterback, namely starting quarterback to name one.
Yeah, if you’re drafting a QB there, you’re hoping that it’s an upgrade, not a backup. If they have a competition that Sanders (or another QB-Gabriel is still there, even if Sanders seems in control at the moment) happens to win, it’s one thing, but you’d hold that your highly picked QB on a team with other holes can start sometime soon.
Even if he sits, ala Jordan Love or Aaron Rodgers, you have to at least that he can start, not go into it treating him like a backup. The Browns also don’t have that franchise bedrock in place at the moment, as Green Bay in the aforementioned examples, so a long wait would be unusual in this case.
The Browns have enough clip board holders.
I get the appeal of Freeling, and he might turn out to be very good, but I could also see him only turning out to be very good after two or three rough years. Thats a tough sell at 6 overall.
Knowing Andrew Berry…he is guaranteed to do the unexpected and I love it 😅
Sounds an awful lot like Stockholm Syndrome, Trace.
I actually came here to see if anyone was…well, just a bit hesitant on him. I don’t think that he should be considered bad as a prospect by any means, but I have questions about some of Freeling’s footwork throughout his collegiate career as a first round LT.
Within a span of 12 hours they have made every interest a need in the first round.
This isn’t a great offensive tackle class.
Freeling a buzz!