Dan Campbell and Co. Might Eye Georgia Talent To Fill The Hole Left By Taylor Decker
December 14, 2025, Inglewood, California, USA: Head coach, Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions during their regular season NFL, American Football Herren, USA game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday December 14, 2025 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Inglewood USA - ZUMAp124 20251214_zaa_p124_074 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
December 14, 2025, Inglewood, California, USA: Head coach, Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions during their regular season NFL, American Football Herren, USA game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday December 14, 2025 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Inglewood USA - ZUMAp124 20251214_zaa_p124_074 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
Dan Campbell, HC of the Detroit Lions have a huge roster gap to fill after letting go of tackle Taylor Decker in free agency. And he might be eyeing a Georgia Bulldogs player to complete the OL of the team. At least that's what NFL Analysts have projected.
Georgia Bulldogs' Offensive Tackle Monroe Freeling is one of the most athletic tackles with a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 99.99 out of 100, to enter the draft and ranking no.2 out of 1,512 offensive tackles from 1987 to 2026.
His pass blocking grade of 85.6 from Pro Football Focus ranked in the Top 10 among all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) tackles the previous season.
ESPN’s Matt Miller noted, "Freeling posted an impressive 4.93 40-yard dash at 325 pounds, and his tape against elite SEC pass rushers matched what we saw in Indianapolis.”
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlien noted, ”Freeling offers coveted length and athleticism at right tackle. There is some buyer beware on tape, but if smoothed out, he has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter”.
But could drafting Monroe fill the huge gap of what Tacker has left? It's highly doubtful, considering his decade-long career with the Detroit Lions.
Taylor Decker gave his career best in the 2024 season with the Detroit Lions. The Lions had a franchise-best with a 15-2 regular season record, and a record of starting 145 games. He also has two division titles and a Pro Bowl selection in 2024 to his name during his 10-year period.
He played 14 games in 2025, missing 3 of them due to an injury, before he was released in March 2026. And if the Lions draft Monroe in the place of Decker, there is a lot to catch up on.
Detroit’s other tackle options
Miami Hurricanes' Francis Mauigoa and Utah Utes' Spencer Fano are the other top contenders for the position of left tackle. But another analyst, Daniel Jeremiah, listed Fano as an inferior offensive lineman, ruling him out of the list.
Carolina Panthers' Rasheed Walker, Houston Texans' Braden Smith, and New York Giants' Jermaine Eluemunor are other potential fits, besides Monroe Freeling, per Si.com.
December 30, 2023:.Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling 57 blocks Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jaden Jones 22 during the second half of the Capital One Orange Bowl between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida State University Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. /CSM Miami Gardens United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20231230_zma_c04_434 Copyright: xRonxLanex
December 30, 2023:.Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling 57 blocks Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jaden Jones 22 during the second half of the Capital One Orange Bowl between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida State University Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. /CSM Miami Gardens United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20231230_zma_c04_434 Copyright: xRonxLanex
The Detroit Lions have added Larry Borom as a tackle this season, along with Juice Scruggs as center. Adding Monroe Freeling to the left tackle, along with Penei Sewell and Larry Borom, could be a strength move for the offensive line.
Despite Freeling being a rookie, he has improved in the past season. And with a strong on-field performance at the Combine, it has elevated his draft stock, making him a confirmed first-choice for the Lions, to strengthen the line of players.
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Written by
Archana Ramakrishnan
Edited by
Joyita Das