NFL Mock Draft roundup: This Georgia defender is everywhere for Falcons at No. 48

The Atlanta Falcons are entering another new chapter as the franchise has handed over head coaching duties to Kevin Stefanski. With the talent to be a playoff caliber team, can a change at coach and the right moves in the offseason get the boost the Falcons into the playoffs?

In a competitive NFC South, the Falcons could set themselves apart in the division if they can get consistent quarterback play out of Michael Penix Jr. and continue to build on the defensive side of the ball.

Key needs after the free agency frenzy are the interior of the defensive line, cornerback, edge rush depth and wide receiver depth.  The Falcons could also look to add interior offensive line depth in the 2026 NFL Draft.  Can they find different makers in this draft without a first-round pick?

In those key areas, there are prospect the Falcons can find on Day 2 can be Day 1 impact players, especially from the University of Georgia.  NFL Mocks takes a look at who current mock drafts have identified as the next player to leap on  that Bulldogs to Falcons talent train.

ESPN NFL Mock Draft: Falcons get stout in the middle

With defensive tackle as a big need for the Falcons, ESPN’s Matt Miller has a Georgia product as the cure in the middle.  In Christen Miller, the Falcons not only get a player fans are familiar with, but they also get a clog in the interior of the line who is a disrupter and fierce against the run.

Miller writes:

“Atlanta boosted the edges of its defense last year by selecting Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in Round 1, but the middle still needs work. Miller is a rock at nose tackle and does the dirty work of keeping interior blockers busy so linebackers and edge rushers can run free.”

Line Miller up with recent draft picks Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus and the Falcons would have a solid rotation in the middle of the defensive line as well as talented players who have a high upside.

SI.Com NFL Mock Draft: Miller solidifies the defensive interior

The Falcons stick with their biggest need in SI.Com’s post-NFL Free agency NFL Mock Draft.  In his team focused mock, SI.com’s Garrett Chapman also sees Miller as the solution for the Falcons.  He identifies the big, massage former Bulldogs star as a must-have selection for the NFC South squad.

Chapman explains:

“The Falcons have some needs on the defensive interior, and Christen Miller would be an instant upgrade to this rotation. He would slot in and be a difference-maker alongside Brandon Dorlus and Ruke Orhorhoro. If he is on the board at 48, the Falcons would be wise to sprint to the podium and lock him down.”

Sprint to the podium is exactly right.  The Falcons have enough offense, so if a player like Miller was still on the board at No. 48, it would be like a first-round pick for Atlanta given their need.  Miller would not only add depth to the rotation but challenge Dorlus and Orhorhoro as the hope here is that the three interior linemen challenge one another.

Blogging Dirty: Keep your eye on another Georgia Bulldogs star

If a player like Miller is off the board or even if he is still on the board, is there another prospect the Falcons must sprint to the podium to select?

Our sister site, Blogging Dirty, is keeping an eye on another former Georgia star who could make the offense even more explosive.  Despite signing both Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheus in free agency, Blogging Dirty’s Jason Kandel exudes excitement over the possibility of adding Zachariah Branch to the mix.

Kandel writes:

“Dotson is the WR2 at the moment, but Branch would instantly be the second most exciting wide receiver in the offense behind Drake London. Not only will his speed take some pressure of him, the 21-year-old's sheer explosiveness would make him a matchup nightmare while playing out of the slot.”

"Branch is an exciting wide receiver who is one of the wild cards in the 2026 NFL Draft.  He has the talent to go early on Day 2 but is a prospect who could still be around when the Falcons select at No. 79.  Either way, with depth behind Drake London as one of the team’s top areas of focus, Branch to the Falcons would be a draft selection fans would get excited about."

In all, there is a great beat the Falcons end up with a former Georgia Bulldogs player at No. 48.  After drafting Jalon Walker in the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Falcons dipping back into that talent pool with either Miller or Branch will help the team in key areas. 

With that said, NFL Mocks leans more towards Miller as the Falcons could continue to build a solid defense.  Miller would help fortify the trenches in the middle of the line which would allow the pass rush to be just as impactful as they were a season ago.