CLEVELAND, Ohio — Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling became one of the darlings of the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis after an impressive on-field workout.
The 6-7, 315-pound tackle ran the 40-yard dash in 4.93 seconds, which was third fastest among offensive linemen. He also had the second-best 10-yard split of his position (1.71).
Add those numbers together along with an intriguing frame and it’s no wonder why many mock drafts immediately after the Combine had the Browns taking Freeling with the sixth overall pick.
But is there substance to the hype?
Well, the answer is yes and no.
Some of the buzz on Freeling comes from what he can be. When you see tackles of Freeling’s size moving the way he moves, it’s easy to picture him as a possible left tackle in the NFL.
The Browns need a left tackle, and Freeling sticks out in a class where the consensus top-two tackles — Spencer Fano and Francis Mauigoa — are not left tackles. That doesn’t mean they’re not good, but their best pro positions are not at LT.
Freeling has as good a chance as any tackle in this class to play left tackle.
But there’s still some projection on the part of a team making this pick.
Freeling has just 16 starts in college and he still has work to do as a run blocker.
That said, at 21 years old, Freeling has a lot of room for growth, and it’s easy to trust a lineman coming from Georgia with how Andrew Thomas has developed with the Giants and the potential Amarius Mims is flashing with the Bengals.
For the Browns, this is their best shot at filling the Joe Thomas-sized hole left behind when one of the best linemen in team history, or the first offensive lineman in NFL history depending on who you ask, retired after 2017.
Freeling is a swing, but in an NFL draft where the top doesn’t feel as strong as years past, a swing on a player with Freeling’s profile isn’t a bad idea.
Here is my latest 2026 NFL mock draft.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, quarterback, Indiana
Height, weight: 6-5, 236 pounds.
2025 stats: 273-379 (72.0%), 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, 6 interceptions.
There’s about as little drama with this pick as any first overall pick in recent memory. The Raiders will get their potential franchise quarterback, and the next step will be to build around him.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, linebacker/edge rusher, Ohio State
Height, weight: 6-4, 241 pounds.
2025 stats: 69 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss.
Once again, the top two in my mock draft isn’t changing. Reese could be the type of transformational talent the Jets need as a cornerstone to rebuild their defense.
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech
Height, weight: 6-4, 251 pounds.
2025 stats: 52 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 19.5 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups.
The Cardinals outside of Josh Sweat had 18 sacks last season. 6.5 came from Calais Campbell and he’s 39. Bailey adds youth and electricity to an Arizona pass rush and a defense in desperate need of an injection of talent.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, running back, Notre Dame
Height, weight: 6-0, 212 pounds.
2025 stats: 199 carries, 1,372 yards (6.9 avg.), 18 TDs; 27 receptions, 280 yards (10.4 avg.), 3 TDs.
Say hello to the curveball. Love has a case to be the best pure offensive talent in this entire draft class, and the Titans must surround Cam Ward with talent regardless of the position. His 39 runs of 10 yards or more on 199 carries (19.6% explosive run rate) according to Pro Football Focus are evidence he can be an immediate playmaker in the run game, but he’s also impactful as a receiver.
5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, offensive tackle, Miami
Height, weight: 6-5.5, 329 pounds.
Mauigoa is probably the best right tackle in this draft, and the Giants need a right tackle to play opposite Andrew Thomas. It’s a pretty good fit.
6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, offensive tackle, Georgia
Height, weight: 6-7, 315 pounds.
Yes, I’ll buy into the hype on Freeling. Some of taking him this high has to do with the idea of what he can be.
As Georgia’s left tackle last season, he allowed just two sacks and eight quarterback pressures while committing only two penalties. Freeling has the build and mobility that teams like the Browns might want from their left tackle.
The key for the Browns if they draft him will be putting a quality vet next to him and dealing with the growing pains. But if Freeling can get stronger and improve as a run blocker, this pick could really pan out.
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami
Height, weight: 6-2, 263 pounds.
2025 stats: 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 15.5 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT.
Despite Bain’s short arms, I’m not ready to keep him out of the top 10. The Commanders need an impact pass rusher, and Bain has the talent and production to possibly be that type of player.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, wide receiver, Ohio State
Height, weight: 6-2, 192 pounds.
2025 stats: 51 receptions, 875 yards (17.2 avg.), 9 TDs.
The Saints need to find Tyler Shough more help at receiver. So they go back to the New Orleans-Ohio State pipeline to get Tate.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, offensive tackle, Utah
Height, weight: 6-5.5, 311 pounds.
With Jeremiyah Love out of their reach, the Chiefs use the first of their two first-round picks in this draft to continue adding to their offensive line. Josh Simmons showed some promise at left tackle and Fano brings a lot of positive tools to right tackle.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, safety, Ohio State
Height, weight: 6-0, 206 pounds.
2025 stats: 45 solo tackles, 1 sack, 5 TFLs, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups.
Here’s another pick from my previous mock that I’m keeping here today. Downs has the talent to go as high as second or third overall. But for a Bengals team that needs help at a lot of defensive positions including safety, Downs is about as good as they could ask for.
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, cornerback, LSU
Height, weight: 6-0, 187 pounds.
2025 stats: 26 solo tackles, 2 INTs, 11 pass breakups.
New coach Jeff Hafley could use another defensive playmaker to help the Dolphins have answers for Josh Allen and Drake Maye. Delane is the draft’s top corner because of his ball skills and athleticism.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, linebacker, Ohio State
Height, weight: 6-5, 244 pounds.
2025 stats: 82 tackles, 1 sack, 6.5 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT, 3 pass breakups.
It’s rare that off-ball linebackers go this early. But Styles is a rare player for his position with incredible athleticism, plenty of proven production and true three-down ability.
13. Los Angeles Rams via Atlanta Falcons: Makai Lemon, wide receiver, USC
Height, weight: 5-11, 192 pounds.
2025 stats: 79 receptions, 1,156 yards (14.6 avg.), 11 TDs.
After seeing what Jaxon Smith-Njigba did for the Seahawks in helping them win the Super Bowl, the Rams find their own version as well as give Matthew Stafford a very exciting slot receiver. This is now the Rams’ lone first-round pick after trading for Trent McDuffie — a trade that makes it less likely this pick will be used on Ty Simpson.
14. Las Vegas via Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson, wide receiver, Arizona State
Height, weight: 6-2, 203 pounds.
2025 stats: 61 receptions, 711 yards (11.7 avg.), 8 TDs.
The Raiders got this pick in the Maxx Crosby trade, and it’s time to give Fernando Mendoza a high-end receiver to work with. Despite Tyson’s health concerns, he has a strong case to be this draft’s top receiver, and he could complement Brock Bowers very well.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, Miami
Height, weight: 6-3, 259 pounds.
2025 stats: 63 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 17.5 TFLs, 4 forced fumbles.
College production is a big reason why I have Mesidor, even though he turns 25 in April, ahead of Auburn’s Keldric Faulk. The relentless energy Mesidor plays with could help him fit in well with Tampa Bay’s group of edge rushers.
16. New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts: Peter Woods, defensive tackle, Clemson
Height, weight: 6-2.5, 292 pounds.
2025 stats: 30 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 TFLs, 1 pass breakup.
One of the cornerstones of the Jets defense prior to their fire sale last season was Quinnen Williams in the middle. Despite Caleb Banks’ explosive athletic display at the NFL Combine, I still have Woods as the top defensive tackle in this class, and the Jets take him here in this mock to try and replace Williams.
17. Detroit Lions: Olaivavega Ioane, interior offensive lineman, Penn State
Height, weight: 6-4, 320 pounds.
Ioane is a likely plug-and-play starter for most teams in the interior of the offensive line. Tackle is a more pressing concern right now with Taylor Decker’s departure, but Ioane is probably the best lineman left on the board.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, safety, Toledo
Height, weight: 6-3.5, 201 pounds.
2025 stats: 36 solo tackles, 0.5 sacks, 5.5 TFLs, 2 INTs, 5 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles.
If McNeil-Warren goes in the first round, he will be the second player from Toledo to go in the first round in the last three years, following Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. He’s a long safety who can make plays against the run and the pass, and the Vikings take him here as the heir to Harrison Smith.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, tight end, Oregon
Height, weight: 6-3, 241 pounds.
2025 stats: 51 receptions, 560 yards (11.0 avg.), 8 TDs.
Sadiq could easily go much earlier in this draft than I have him in this mock. But it’s hard for me to see him fall past Carolina, and the Panthers could use more playmaking around Bryce Young.
20. Dallas via Green Bay Packers: Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn
Height, weight: 6-6, 276 pounds.
2025 stats: 29 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 TFLs, 4 pass breakups.
Faulk is very much a traits over production type of prospect, which is a risky profile when it comes to edge rushers. But his run defense, age and frame make him a worthy bet for a Cowboys team with two first-round picks and a lot of holes to fill on defense.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, quarterback, Alabama
Height, weight: 6-1, 211 pounds.
2025 stats: 305-473 (64.5%), 3,567 yards, 28 TDs, 5 INTs.
At some point, the Steelers need to start addressing their future at quarterback. This could be a good spot for Simpson to sit and develop under Aaron Rodgers while learning from new coach Mike McCarthy.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Banks, defensive tackle, Florida
Height, weight: 6-6, 327 pounds.
2025 stats: 6 tackles, 1 TFL (3 games played due to injury).
Between a great week at the Senior Bowl and some good testing data at the NFL Combine, Banks has moved clear ahead of Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald as the draft’s second-best defensive tackle. He should give help to a Chargers defense that finished in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed per carry last season.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, offensive tackle, Alabama
Height, weight: 6-7, 352 pounds.
There is no doubt about Proctor’s athletic ability and the power he plays with. With Lane Johnson turning 36 in May, the Eagles could look for someone to develop behind him.
24. Cleveland via Jacksonville Jaguars: Omar Cooper Jr., wide receiver, Indiana
Height, weight: 6-0, 199 pounds.
2025 stats: 69 receptions, 937 yards (13.6 avg.), 13 TDs.
With the top three receivers off the board, the Browns go for Fernando Mendoza’s top target in Cooper, who has the kind of slot receiver skillset that is thriving in the NFL. Cooper knows how to create space, and he is outstanding after the catch with 27 missed tackles forced, fourth most among all receivers last season according to PFF.
Another place where Cooper has an edge is in an advanced stat that is gaining more traction as a predictive metric: yards per route run vs. zone coverage. According to PFF, Cooper was 11th in YPRR against zone (3.15) among all receivers with at least 19 targets.
Cooper was mostly utilized in the slot at Indiana, but the Browns could use any kind of high-end receiving talent regardless of where they line up.
25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, safety, Oregon
Height, weight: 6-0, 201 pounds.
2025 stats: 44 solo tackles, 1 sack, 3.5 TFLs, 2 INTs, 5 pass breakups.
Thieneman makes three safeties to go off the board in the first round of my mock. He was extremely productive in two seasons at Purdue and again at Oregon last season, and he goes to a Bears team that was 28th in the NFL in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.8).
26. Buffalo Bills: C.J. Allen, linebacker, Georgia
Height, weight: 6-1, 230 pounds.
2025 stats: 88 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 8 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups.
After trading for DJ Moore, the Bills add to their defense once again with the pick of Allen here. He can play the pass well because of how good a mover he is, and his tackling ability makes him an asset against the run as well.
27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion, wide receiver, Texas A&M
Height, weight: 6-0, 196 pounds.
2025 stats: 61 receptions, 919 yards (15.1 avg.), 9 TDs.
If the 49ers can’t bring back Jauan Jennings, then finding help opposite Ricky Pearsall at receiver becomes a priority. Concepcion’s speed and ability to create space for himself should play well in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
28. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, offensive tackle, Utah
Height, weight: 6-6, 313 pounds.
The Texans might be looking for youth along the offensive line, especially after trading right tackle Tytus Howard to the Browns. Lomu will need some time to get stronger, but he is one of the best pass blockers in this class.
29. Kansas City via Los Angeles Rams: Avieon Terrell, cornerback, Clemson
Height, weight: 5-11, 186 pounds.
2025 stats: 30 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 4.5 TFLs, 5 forced fumbles, 9 pass breakups.
Since the Chiefs traded Trent McDuffie to acquire this pick, it makes sense that they turn around and draft his replacement. Terrell has a case to go much earlier than this pick, but his slide is Kansas City’s gain.
30. Denver Broncos: Blake Miller, offensive tackle, Clemson
Height, weight: 6-7, 317 pounds.
I’m keeping this pick from my previous mock here. Miller, a Strongsville alum, showed how good of a mover he is at the NFL Combine. Those kinds of movement skills are so vital for an offensive lineman.
31. New England Patriots: Denzel Boston, wide receiver, Washington
Height, weight: 6-4, 212 pounds.
2025 stats: 62 receptions, 881 yards (14.2 avg.), 11 touchdowns.
Drake Maye needs some receivers, especially after the Patriots let Stefon Diggs go. Adding a big, physical receiver like Boston is just what New England needs to complement Pop Douglas and Kayshon Boutte.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jermod McCoy, cornerback, Tennessee
Height, weight: 6-1, 188 pounds.
2025 stats: Did not play due to injury.
McCoy could certainly go much higher than this pick because of his physicality and ball skills. But after missing all of 2025 with a torn ACL, he is more of a projection than other corners, and the Seahawks at this point of the first round can afford the risk.
