Proctor, the young Junior Crimson Tide OT, is\u00a0the most frequently mentioned offensive line prospect mocked to the Lions with the 17th pick. The 6\u20196 5\/8\u201d 352 lb. behemoth is considered one of the elite offensive tackles in this year\u2019s Draft. After an impressive Combine performance that ranked 5th in his class, plus a second-place spot on Bruce Feldman\u2019s 2026 \u201cFreaks List,\u201d Proctor\u2019s Draft capital skyrocketed.<\/p>\r\n Described by NFL analyst Lance Zierlein<\/a> as \u201ca mass of humanity\u201d with bulldozing power, Proctor has \u201ca stout anchor and strong hands to stall the rush in its track.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Gifted with 35\u201d arms, Proctor can halt defenders cold in their tracks. He takes on opponents with fierce determination, aggression, and the nasty mental focus of a \u201cwinner take all\u201d fighter.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Proctor’s game relies too heavily on his enormous bulk and raw power rather than on improving his technique. He often struggles to maintain leverage against power rushers and is frequently criticized for inconsistent hand usage, punching power, and pad level.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n As much as his size is an advantage, it also raises concerns about his overall conditioning and ability to maintain stamina for a 60-minute football game. Finally, Proctor\u2019s size can limit his agility and range of motion against elite speedsters.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Zierlein predicts Proctor has the potential to “become a good right tackle or a very good guard.\u201d A 6\/7\u201d 318 lb. Junior from Charleston, S.C. Freeling\u2019s Draft stock has been on the rise. A four-star recruit, he was ranked the 6th best tackle in the U.S. Freeling didn\u2019t get much playing time as a freshman with Amarius Mims ahead of him on the depth chart. However, late in the 2024 season, he replaced the injured starting left tackle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Freeling began to make an impact when he started 13 of 14 games in 2025 and earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice. In 739 snaps at left tackle, he allowed 1.0 sack, and earned an 85.6 pass-block grade from PFF.com<\/a>. Furthermore, p<\/span>roving his durability, Freeling suffered a high ankle sprain but didn\u2019t miss a single game.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Foregoing his senior year, Feeling declared for the 2026 Draft. His draft stock began to rise following a strong performance at the NFL Combine. Earning an elite Athleticism Score of 91,<\/a> he finished 3rd overall among his class with a Total Score of 81. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n NFL Draft Buzz touted Freeling\u2019s rare athleticism for the position,<\/a> attributing his basketball background to his impressive \u201cbalance, spatial awareness, and ability to redirect through contact.\u201d<\/p>\r\n However, the site also noted that his \u201crun blocking lags behind his pass protection, especially in gap schemes where leverage matters most.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Zierlein stated that despite needing improvement in some areas, \u201che has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n The biggest concern about Freeling is his lack of experience. He started a combined total of 18 games in the last two years. The question is whether Freeling can handle the rigors of a full NFL season. A secondary concern is his run game where he scored a 61.3 PFF grade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n However, the improvement he showed in 2025 indicate a project who is highly coachable. Carrying 315 lbs. on a 6\u20197\u201d frame suggests adding roughly 10-15 lbs. of muscle weight would improve his ability to maintain an anchor and not lose leverage. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Freeling\u2019s agility and athleticism make him an elite prospect. Unlike other highly ranked offensive tackle prospects including Proctor, Freeling\u2019s experience is that of a starting left tackle. While that experience is limited, he would not have to \u201cearn to play a different position\u201d nor would his draft require moving Penei Sewell to left tackle. That is a huge plus for the Lions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n He is a prospect who needs time, conditioning and patience to fully develop as a starting tackle.\u00a0 <\/span>However, Brad Holmes recently stated that regardless of the Draft round, there is always going to be some development needed before he is a Day 1 starter. Assuming the Lions are willing to be patient, Freeling scores high as good fit for the team. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Caleb Lomu,<\/a> Utah OT<\/b><\/p>\r\n In pairing offensive tackle Spencer Fano with Caleb Lomu at left tackle, Utah had the best offensive line duo in the country. While Fano gets much of the credit for the line\u2019s premier performance, Lomu\u2019s starting presence as a freshman in 2024 made a huge impact. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n PFF.com<\/a><\/span> gave him an 82.1 pass-blocking grade.<\/a><\/span>\u00a0 In addition to Utah earning the Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week honors four times, Lomu was singled out for <\/span>First Team All-Big 12 recognition and the Outland Trophy watch list.<\/p>\r\n At the NFL Combine, Lomu’s 86 Athleticism Score placed 5th, and he finished in 4th place overall. Despite only being a Junior, Lomu has been<\/span> repeatedly praised for his strong football IQ and technical skills. Zierlein describes Lomu as a \u201cstarting left tackle still in the early stages of his development<\/a>. He shows good balance with adequate foot quickness and well-timed punches.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\r\n While his passing protection is his strong suit, the run game is not as strong. Lomu lacks core strength. As a result, he struggles to maintain a consistent anchor. \u00a0Additionally, his pad level needs improvement. However, these are issues that can be corrected with coaching and conditioning. \u00a0<\/p>\r\nKadyn Proctor<\/a>, Alabama OT<\/h3>\r\n
Proctor\u2019s Biggest Weaknesses:<\/h3>\r\n
Fit For Detroit:<\/h3>\r\n
However, the biggest concern is that the Lions are seeking to replace Taylor Decker at left tackle. Drafting \u201ca good right tackle\u201d who might be better suited to play guard doesn\u2019t make sense for Detroit.<\/p>\r\nMonroe Freeling<\/a>, Georgia OT \u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
Freeling\u2019s Draft Stock Climbs\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\r\n
Biggest Cautions About Freeling:<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
Fit For Detroit:\u00a0 <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n
![\"Caleb](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27306218_168400545_lowres-300x200.jpg\")
Lomu’s Combine Performance\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n
Where Lomu Needs Improvement\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n