Lions Advised to Add Player With ‘Buyer Beware’ Warning to Fix Weakness

The Detroit Lions would likely love to add a stud offensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft. If they managed to do that, they could replace Taylor Decker immediately and have a pair of tackles set to lead their offensive line for the next several years.

But it doesn’t appear as though the Lions will be able to get a true plug-and-play stud at tackle with the No. 17 overall pick. So, NFL.com’s Eric Edholm suggested this week that the team might take a chance on acquiring a potential star tackle for down the road.

In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft on Thursday, Edholm slotted Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling to the Lions in the first round.

“Freeling could replace Taylor Decker, or the Lions could move Penei Sewell to the left side in Decker’s place and ask Freeling to play right tackle,” Edholm wrote. “He’s a bit green (18 college starts) but has a ton of natural ability. Detroit can still address the edge position in Round 2.”

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gave Freeling a prospect grade of “will eventually be plus starter.” However, the NFL draft analyst also had a warning about the Georgia tackle.

“Freeling offers coveted length and athleticism at right tackle,” Zierlein wrote. “There is some buyer beware on tape, but if smoothed out, he has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter.”

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Why the Lions Could Draft Georgia Tackle Monroe Freeling

Freeling isn’t unlike some of the other offensive tackles that have come from Georgia recently.

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Broderick Jones and Cincinnati Bengals’ Amarius Mims are the most notable ones that come to mind. Both were first-round picks — Jones at No. 14 in 2023 and Mims at No. 18 during 2024.

Jones struggled early in his career, but he played out of position at right tackle. He showed signs of improvement last year before suffering a season-ending neck injury during November.

Mims was an even more raw talent coming out of college. According to Pro Football Focus, though, things started to really click for Mims during the second half of last season. Overall, he improved his PFF grade considerably from his rookie season to 2025.

It’s not clear those prospects will impact Freeling’s draft stock. But Jones and Mims are reminders that Freeling could very easily need a year or two of seasoning before he’s ready to be an elite starter.

“With only one season as a full-time starter, filling out his frame and improving his technique should be early priorities,” Zierlein wrote. “His quickness brings first-phase positioning advantages, but he needs more play strength to carry that over to block sustain and finish.”

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Detroit’s Other Left Tackle Options

Freeling was the third offensive tackle off the board in Edholm’s new mock draft. Pundits generally consider Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano the top two tackle in the class although NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah listed Fano as an interior offensive lineman.

Those two linemen are likely to be gone before No. 17 overall.

Freeling could be too. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked the Georgia tackle at No. 13 on his overall 2026 prospect list.

But Kiper also argued Freeling needs more seasoning.

“Freeling is still developing — he has started 18 games, and only five of those came before last season,” Kiper wrote. “But his year-over-year improvement stood out, especially in pass protection.”

Whether the Lions draft Freeling could depend on how they feel about his upside.

The team added Larry Borom and Juice Scruggs this offseason. Borom could start at right tackle with Penei Sewell flipping to the left side.

If the Lions feel good about that tackle combination, they could address the pass rush in the first round instead of tackle. But if Detroit really likes Freeling’s potential, it might be difficult to pass him up.

Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb