Core Selections Solidify Second Day Presence
The 2026 NFL Draft has seen several key figures from the Georgia Bulldogs program transition to professional careers, with a notable concentration of selections occurring on the second day of the event. The New Orleans Saints made two significant acquisitions: Christen Miller, a defensive tackle, was chosen with the 42nd overall pick, and tight end Oscar Delp followed at pick number 73.
The pattern of Georgia players finding new teams is not random; it's a data point reflecting collegiate performance translating into professional opportunity.
Other notable selections from the second day include:
Linebacker CJ Allen, picked 53rd overall by the Indianapolis Colts.
Cornerback Daylen Everette, selected 85th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch, taken 79th overall by the Atlanta Falcons.
First Round Talent Emerges
Prior to the later rounds, offensive tackle Monroe Freeling was the earliest Bulldog off the board. He was selected 19th overall in the first round by the Carolina Panthers. This early pick underscores Freeling's perceived potential, despite a college career marked by only 18 starts.
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Day Three Prospects and Lingering Potential
As the draft progressed into its final day, a cadre of Georgia players remained available, signaling a diverse range of perceived readiness for the NFL. Among those noted as Day Three possibilities were:
Wide receivers Colbie Young, Dillon Bell, and Noah Thomas.
Offensive lineman Micah Morris.
Punter Brett Thorson.
Running backs Cash Jones and Josh McCray.
Long snapper Beau Gardner.
Safety JaCorey Thomas.
Colbie Young was later selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round at pick 140.
Contextualizing the Selections
The aggregate of these selections paints a picture of Georgia's continued presence in the NFL Draft. Reports suggest the program may not surpass last year's total of 13 draft picks. However, the distribution across multiple teams and rounds—from the first-round projection of Freeling to the later-round prospects—indicates a broad, if uneven, appeal to professional scouting departments. The selection of Zachariah Branch by the Falcons marks a third consecutive draft where Atlanta has drafted a player from Georgia, a consistent thread in recent draft histories.
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