Key Takeaways
- Five University of Georgia Bulldogs were drafted on night 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft: Christen Miller (Saints, 2nd round), CJ Allen (Colts, 2nd round), Oscar Delp (Saints, 3rd round), Zachariah Branch (Falcons, 3rd round), and Daylen Everette (Steelers, 3rd round).
- The selections push Kirby Smart’s career total to 82 NFL Draft picks in ten seasons, reinforcing Georgia’s reputation as a premier pipeline for NFL talent, especially at linebacker (13 picks) and tight end (seventh Bulldog TE chosen in eight seasons).
- Christen Miller, a 6‑4, 328‑pound defensive lineman from Ellenwood, recorded four sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss and a team‑high 23 quarterback pressures in 2025, capping a senior class that amassed 51 wins, three SEC titles and three College Football Playoff appearances.
- Inside linebacker CJ Allen, a 6‑0, 233‑pound Barnesville native, led the 2025 Bulldogs with 88 tackles, eight TFLs and 3.5 sacks, earning First‑Team All‑American honors, Butkus Award finalist status, and seven captaincies while finishing his career with over 200 tackles and 30 starts.
- Tight end Oscar Delp (6‑5, 245 lbs, Cumming) started 34 of 54 games, posted 20 receptions for 261 yards and a touchdown in 2025, and was a key blocker for QB Gunner Stockton (69.7 % completion) and RB Nate Frazier (947 rushing yards); he is a Campbell Trophy semifinalist.
- Wide receiver Zachariah Branch (5‑9, 176 lbs, Las Vegas) set a Georgia single‑season record with 81 catches for 811 yards and six TDs, added 180 punt‑return yards (12.0 avg.) and 205 kickoff‑return yards (20.5 avg.), and earned Coaches Second‑Team All‑SEC honors.
- Defensive back Daylen Everette (6‑1, 198 lbs, Norfolk) recorded 50 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in 2025, was named SEC Championship Game MVP after his pick versus No. 2 Texas, and helped limit opponents to 17.6 points per game while serving as a three‑time captain.
- Miller and Delp become the 11th and 12th Bulldogs ever drafted by New Orleans (first since DB Damian Swann in 2015); Allen is the 13th Bulldog taken by Indianapolis (first since LB Amarlo Herrera in 2015); Branch marks the 14th Falcon pick and the third straight year Georgia has sent a receiver to Atlanta; Everette is the 21st Steeler pick and the first Bulldog chosen by Pittsburgh since Darnell Washington in 2023.
- The 2026 NFL Draft concludes Saturday in Pittsburgh with rounds 4‑7 beginning at noon EDT; coverage will be simulcast on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network, with live streaming available at GeorgiaDogs.com.
The second night of the 2026 NFL Draft at Heinz Field proved productive for the University of Georgia, as five Bulldogs heard their names called. The New Orleans Saints kicked off the proceedings by selecting defensive lineman Christen Miller with the 10th pick of the second round (42nd overall). Miller, a towering 6‑4, 328‑pound athlete from Ellenwood, Georgia, spent four seasons anchoring the Georgia defensive line. Over his final three years he compiled four sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, while leading the team in 2025 with 23 quarterback pressures—a testament to his ability to disrupt opposing passers. His senior class was historic, amassing 51 wins, a 25‑1 home record, three SEC championships and three appearances in the College Football Playoff.
Continuing in the second round, the Indianapolis Colts chose inside linebacker CJ Allen with the 21st pick (53rd overall). Allen, a 6‑0, 233‑pound product of Barnesville, emerged as the defensive stalwart of the 2025 Bulldog squad, leading the team with 88 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. His accolades included First‑Team All‑American honors, a Butkus Award finalist nod, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy finalist recognition. Allen served as a captain on seven occasions and finished his collegiate career with over 200 tackles and 30 starts, underscoring his durability and leadership.
The third round began with the Saints again turning to Georgia, this time selecting tight end Oscar Delp with the ninth pick (73rd overall). Delp, a 6‑5, 245‑pound native of Cumming, appeared in 54 games for the Bulldogs, starting 34 at tight end. In 2025 he hauled in 20 receptions for 261 yards and a touchdown, ranking fourth on the team in receiving yards. Beyond his pass‑catching, Delp was praised for his blocking prowess, which helped quarterback Gunner Stockton achieve a 69.7 % completion rate and running back Nate Frazier rush for 947 yards. A Campbell Trophy semifinalist, Delp’s selection marked the seventh time in eight seasons that a Bulldog tight end has been drafted.
Next, the Atlanta Falcons added wide receiver Zachariah Branch with the 15th pick of the third round (79th overall). Branch, a 5‑9, 176‑pound speedster from Las Vegas, Nevada, enjoyed a breakout single season with the Bulldogs, setting a Georgia record with 81 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns. He also contributed as a return specialist, amassing 180 punt‑return yards on 15 attempts (12.0 average) and 205 kickoff‑return yards on 10 attempts (20.5 average), highlighted by a 44‑yard return in the victory over No. 10 Texas. His performances earned him Coaches Second‑Team All‑SEC honors as a receiver and a Third‑Team nod as an all‑purpose threat.
The night concluded with the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting defensive back Daylen Everette with the 21st pick of the third round (85th overall). Everette, a 6‑1, 198‑pound athlete from Norfolk, Virginia, recorded 50 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in his final season. His interception versus No. 2 Texas in the SEC Championship Game earned him MVP honors and marked his third pick against the Longhorns, having previously snagged two during the regular season. Everette helped hold opponents to just 17.6 points per game and served as a captain three times in 2025.
Collectively, these five selections push head coach Kirby Smart’s career total to 82 NFL Draft picks over ten seasons at Georgia, reinforcing the program’s status as a premier supplier of professional talent. The Bulldogs have now produced 13 linebacker picks under Smart, and the trend of tight ends being selected continues with Delp’s selection being the seventh in eight seasons. The draft also highlights specific franchise‑to‑program relationships: Miller and Delp are the 11th and 12th Bulldogs ever chosen by New Orleans (first since DB Damian Swann in 2015); Allen is the 13th Bulldog taken by Indianapolis (first since LB Amarlo Herrera in 2015); Branch represents the 14th Falcon pick and the third straight year Georgia has sent a receiver to Atlanta; and Everette is the 21st Steeler pick and the first Bulldog selected by Pittsburgh since Darnell Washington in 2023.
The 2026 NFL Draft will wrap up on Saturday in Pittsburgh, with rounds 4‑7 commencing at noon EDT. Fans can follow the action live on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network, or stream the coverage online at GeorgiaDogs.com. As the Bulldogs continue to place players into the NFL pipeline, the program’s reputation for developing elite, NFL‑ready talent remains firmly intact.