As the 2026 NFL Draft inches closer, the spotlight is already shifting from bowl games and playoff buzz to big boards and mock drafts. And for Georgia fans, there’s plenty to track as several former Bulldogs are heading to the pros - and they're not just testing the waters. They're diving in with serious first-round potential.
Among the most notable names declaring early are linebacker CJ Allen, wide receiver Zachariah Branch, offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, and defensive lineman Christen Miller. Each has been linked to the first round in some capacity, but it's Freeling and Allen who are generating the most traction in recent projections.
In a recent mock draft, Monroe Freeling is pegged to go No. 29 overall to the Los Angeles Rams - a pick that not only validates his decision to turn pro but also highlights the scarcity of elite offensive tackle talent in this year’s draft class. Freeling is the fifth tackle off the board in that scenario, following Miami’s Francis Mauigoa (No. 17 to Detroit), Utah’s Spencer Fano (No. 19 to Carolina), Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor (No. 23 to Philadelphia), and Utah’s Caleb Lomu (No. 24 to Cleveland).
That order tells you a lot about how this tackle class is shaping up. Mauigoa is widely viewed as the top prospect at the position, but beyond him, things get murky.
Utah’s Fano and Lomu benefit from playing in a system that traditionally churns out solid offensive linemen, and Proctor’s Alabama pedigree certainly helps his stock. But Freeling?
He’s rising because of what he brings to the table - size, athleticism, and a high ceiling - and because he made a smart call: strike while the tackle market is thin.
Landing in Los Angeles would be a strong fit for Freeling. Sean McVay’s offense demands a lot from its tackles, and Freeling’s mobility and technique make him a natural fit in that zone-blocking scheme.
Plus, with Matthew Stafford - another Georgia legend - possibly entering the twilight of his career, the Rams are in win-now mode. Shoring up the left tackle spot with a first-round talent at a relative value could be a key piece in keeping that Super Bowl window cracked open.
Meanwhile, CJ Allen is projected to go one pick later at No. 30 to the New England Patriots. Allen’s versatility and sideline-to-sideline range make him a classic Patriots pick - the kind of linebacker who can anchor the middle of the defense for years. His draft stock has felt like a top-32 lock for a while now, and this mock only reinforces that.
As for Branch and Miller, they’re currently projected to slide into Day 2, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the first-round conversation entirely. There’s still plenty of time for pre-draft workouts, interviews, and the always-influential NFL Combine to shift the narrative. Both players have the talent to rise, especially if teams start reaching for upside in the late first round.
The Rams, notably, have two first-round picks this year - a rare luxury for a team that’s often traded away draft capital in pursuit of veterans. The Freeling pick at No. 29 is their own, while their other first-rounder comes via the Atlanta Falcons.
That earlier pick, at No. 13, is projected to be used on LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Quarterback Ty Simpson is off the board by then, but if he weren’t, the Rams might’ve been tempted to look toward the future under center.
For now, though, the story is about value - and Freeling might just be one of the best values in the first round. He’s stepping into a draft class where the tackle depth is questionable, and he’s doing so with the kind of traits that NFL teams covet. It’s a calculated risk, and early returns suggest it’s paying off.
Georgia continues to be a factory for NFL talent, and this year is no different. Whether it’s Freeling protecting the blind side, Allen patrolling the middle, or Branch and Miller making their case in the coming months, the Bulldogs are once again poised to make a serious impact on draft night.