Browns Take 'Skyrocketing' Prospect in ESPN's New Mock Draft

ESPN's Jordan Reid has the Browns selecting Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling after his strong showing at the NFL Combine.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 2:40pm

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The Cleveland Browns need to address their offensive line this offseason, and ESPN's latest 2026 NFL mock draft has them doing just that. Analyst Jordan Reid projects the Browns will select Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling with their first-round pick, noting that Freeling's draft stock has "skyrocketed" since the end of the college football season.

Why it matters

The Browns are set to lose all of their 2025 starting offensive linemen to free agency, leaving them with a major rebuilding project on the O-line. Drafting a top prospect like Freeling could help solidify their tackle position and provide a building block for the future.

The details

Freeling, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound tackle, impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine with his size, athleticism, and potential. Reid notes that Freeling "is also an excellent athlete who excels in space and on the move," and that his "size, upside and athletic traits have prompted multiple teams to rank him as the top offensive tackle" in the draft class.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April or early May 2026.

The players

Monroe Freeling

A highly-touted offensive tackle prospect from the University of Georgia who impressed at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Jordan Reid

An ESPN analyst who released a new 2026 NFL mock draft projecting the Browns' draft selections.

Tytus Howard

An offensive tackle recently acquired by the Browns in a trade, who could pair with Freeling to form a strong bookend tackle duo.

Chase Bisontis

A guard prospect from Texas A&M who Reid has the Browns selecting in the second round to further bolster their offensive line.

Omar Cooper Jr.

A wide receiver prospect from Indiana who Reid projects the Browns will select with one of their first-round picks.

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What they’re saying

“Freeling's stock has skyrocketed since the end of the season. At 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, he's one of the few true left tackles of this class. He is also an excellent athlete who excels in space and on the move. His size, upside and athletic traits have prompted multiple teams to rank him as the top offensive tackle at the combine.”

— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Browns will continue to evaluate prospects and finalize their draft plans ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in late April or early May.

The takeaway

The Browns are in desperate need of offensive line help, and drafting a top prospect like Monroe Freeling could be a major step in the right direction. Freeling's impressive combine performance has boosted his draft stock, and pairing him with the recently acquired Tytus Howard could give the Browns a strong foundation on the offensive line for years to come.