Falcons' rival drafts Georgia DL Christen Miller in second-round
TL;DR
Christen Miller, a standout defensive tackle from Georgia, was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 42nd pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft. He was a key player in Georgia's top-ranked run defense last season.
Key points
- Christen Miller drafted by New Orleans Saints
- Selected with the 42nd pick in the second round
- Key player in Georgia's top-ranked run defense
- Recorded 23 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks
- Did not test at NFL combine
A big Georgia Bulldog defender is achieving his dream of going to the NFL. The New Orleans Saints have selected Christen Miller with the No. 42 pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Miller was the biggest reason why the Georgia defense was impenetrable against the run. The 6-foot-3, 321-pound defensive tackle had 23 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks last season. He was the heartbeat of a Georgia defense that ranked No. 4 in run defense, with just 84.5 rushing yards allowed per game. He earned a spot on the all-SEC first-team as a result.
Miller didn't test at the NFL combine, which may have factored into him not being a first-round pick. Still, he performed well at Georgia's pro day.
It's crazy to think Miller could've gone into last season's draft instead of this season. Instead, he opted to stay for another season, deciding to finish what he started at Georgia. Now, he gets rewarded with a good selection and an NFL home for the next few seasons.
Miller joins a Saints team that ended the 2025 season with a lot of momentum. Two of the Atlanta Falcons' rivals (the Saints and Carolina Panthers) have spent premium draft capital on Georgia players.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Saints pick Georgia Bulldog DT in second-round of 2026 NFL draft
Q&A
What round was Christen Miller drafted in the 2026 NFL draft?
Christen Miller was drafted in the second round with the 42nd overall pick.
What were Christen Miller's stats during his last season at Georgia?
In his final season at Georgia, Miller recorded 23 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
Why did Christen Miller not test at the NFL combine?
Christen Miller did not test at the NFL combine, which may have influenced his selection outside of the first round.
