While the flashier players get the headlines, Christen Miller has been doing the dirty work in the trenches that allowed guys like like CJ Allen to roam free. Miller bypassed the draft last year to return for his senior season, and that bet on himself is about to pay off in a big way.
With the NFL Draft looming on his radar, Miller has been pegged as a second-day pick, so it will be nerve-wracking to see where he lands. Stellar on run defense, he's listed as the 14th rated defensive tackle in the draft.
Miller is a "rattle the pads" type of defensive tackle. He excels at the point of attack, using a powerful lower body to reset the line of scrimmage. He might not put up double-digit sacks (only 1.5 in each of his last two seasons at Georgia), but his value lies in his ability to eat double-teams and shut down the run.
Christen Miller bet on himself and now it's time for that to pay off
Miller will likely carve out a long, productive career as a starter for a team that prioritizes physical, "man-ball" defense. The drama will continue to build until his name is called during the draft. The hard prediction is whether that will be second or third round. There are more talented DTs, like Kayden McDonald and Lee Hunter, but Miller is a solid, not-first-round pick for a GM needing to stuff the run.
Kirby Smart knew enough about Miller to talk him back for his last year so NFL defensive coordinators should take note. Coach Smart has built a productive pipeline of players making impact at the next level, so Miller should benefit from that built-in legacy.
The beauty of draft day, even draft weekend, is the tension that hangs as each team comes on the clock to make their pick. Here's hoping Miller's bet pays off for him earlier, than later.
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