GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Kyler Murray era is dead. The Jonathan Gannon experiment is over. Now, under new head coach Mike LaFleur, the Arizona Cardinals are staring at the No. 3 overall pick with a mandate to rebuild from the trenches out. The consensus logic says they grab a “safe” tackle like Miami’s Francis Mauigoa or Utah’s Spencer Fano. But the latest buzz suggests Arizona might throw the consensus out the window.
In a move that would shake up the top 10, a new Cardinals 2026 NFL Mock Draft from A to Z Sports has Arizona betting the house on Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling.
Two months ago, Freeling was a fringe first-rounder. Today, he is arguably the most electrifying athlete in the entire class. The Georgia tackle didn’t just perform at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis; he put on a clinic. Clocking a blazing 4.93 40-yard dash at 315 pounds turned heads, but his field drills sealed the deal. He moves like a tight end but hits like a tank.
The projection from A to Z Sports’ Tyler Forness is bold but rooted in the tape. While Mauigoa and Fano offer high floors, Freeling offers a ceiling that disappears into the clouds. Pairing him with Paris Johnson Jr. would give LaFleur two of the most athletic bookends in the NFL for the next decade.
Critics point to his limited snap count early in his career, but the progression is undeniable. Freeling didn’t just get more playing time; he became a wall. His 2025 campaign at Georgia was a masterclass in clean pockets.
That jump to an 85.6 pass-blocking grade in the SEC—the closest thing to NFL speed—proves he isn’t just a workout warrior. He produces when the lights are brightest.
“You watch him move in shorts and you think, ‘Okay, he’s an athlete.’ Then you watch him stone an SEC edge rusher and you realize, ‘Oh, he’s a football player.’ The upside is terrifying—in a good way.”
— Anonymous NFC Scout, via Indianapolis Combine Chatter
Drafting Freeling is a declaration of intent. It signals that Monti Ossenfort and Mike LaFleur are not looking for quick fixes to scrape into a Wild Card spot. They are swinging for a championship foundation. Yes, there will be growing pains. Freeling’s technique can get loose, and his run blocking (61.3 grade in 2025) needs refinement compared to his elite pass protection.
But with no quarterback controversy to distract them, the Cardinals can afford to let Freeling develop. If he hits, Arizona solves its offensive line riddle for ten years. If he misses, the new regime might be short-lived. April 25th cannot come soon enough.
