ESPN predicts that Georgia will have a first-round pick for a ninth consecutive year in the 2026 NFL draft. The only question is who
ESPN's latest mock draft predicts that Georgia's first-round NFL draft pick streak will continue in the 2026 NFL draft. Georgia has had a first-round draft pick in eight straight NFL drafts including multiple first-round picks in six of those eight years.
The Bulldogs have 20 first-round picks during the Kirby Smart era and ESPN's Matt Miller predicts that Georgia inside linebacker CJ Allen will be the next Bulldog to be a first-round pick. Miller projects that the Los Angeles Chargers will draft with the No. 26 pick. However, he does not think that any other Georgia players will be picked in the first-round.
What ESPN said about CJ Allen
Miller thinks that Allen will be a "perfect fit" for the Chargers. Allen recorded 76 tackles, four pass deflections and one interception in 2024 with Georgia and is looking to have another outstanding season in 2025.
"That's what (a perfect fit) Allen is with Jim Harbaugh, as the 6-foot-1, 235-pounder fits the mold of linebackers that Harbaugh had with the 49ers and what he recruited at Michigan," said Miller. "Allen crashes rushing lanes with power while showing the agility to excel in pass coverage. He's protected by Georgia's top-tier defensive line, but Allen's read-and-react ability makes him a good bet to be an immediate NFL starter."
These days, it is fairly rare for an off-ball linebacker to be a first-round NFL draft pick. Allen has not flashed a ton of pass rushing upside like Jalon Walker did. Allen is certainly a contender to the first off-ball linebacker selected in 2026.
More potential UGA first-round picks
Georgia defensive lineman Christen Miller is a first-round pick candidate and has gone in the first-round of several recent mock drafts. Cornerback Daylen Everette should go fairly early in the 2026 NFL draft and could rise further with a big senior season. Another name to watch is wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: ESPN predicts Georgia linebacker to be first-round draft pick
Category: General Sports
