Christen Miller could finally be the anchor the Chiefs have lacked

Few positions have been more perplexing under Brett Veach than the plan at defensive tackle. Outside of the selections of Derrick Nnadi, Keondre Coburn (who didn't make it out of training camp), and Omarr Norman-Lott, the Chiefs have largely ignored the position. They've built around Chris Jones and not much else. They've continued to rely on aging veterans like Mike Pennel, Derrick Nnadi, and Jerry Tillery.

Despite how it has gone the last few years, the Nnadi selection worked well on his rookie deal. The problem is not only that the Chiefs have not invested much into the position, but the investments haven't been good ones.

Keondre Coburn didn't make it out of St. Joseph and has pretty much been bouncing around the league since then. Then again, the result can't be that surprising when you invest just a sixth-round pick into the position. What further complicates the picture is the Chiefs' decision to draft Omarr Norman-Lott and alter his role into a traditional run stuffer, instead of the pass-rushing monster he was at Tennessee.

The Chiefs can help several players on their defense by adding a run-stuffing defensive tackle. The ability to eat up double teams clears traffic for linebackers to shoot run lanes. It allows the coverage unit to play lighter bodies, like in dime defense, while still being firm against the run. It also will help both Chris Jones and Norman-Lott slot into their pass-rushing roles as well. Getting better in this spot is the tide that rises all defensive boats for the Chiefs.

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NFL Draft Profile: Christen Miller, nose tackle, Georgia

Age: 21 (on draft day)

Height: 6-4 (listed)

Weight: 310 LBS. (listed)

Tape Exposure: Alabama (2025), Florida (2025), Tennessee (2025)

Shades of: BJ Hill

Christen Miller's background

Miller attended Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia, where he helped the school win a state championship. Miller was a highly recruited four-star prospect who ultimately decided to stay in-state and commit to the Bulldogs. After appearing in just four games his freshman year, Miller was redshirted by the national champions. He was a consistent starter from his sophomore season on. Miller finished his college career with 64 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. He declared for the NFL Draft on January 4, 2026.

Christen Miller's strengths

Body Composition

Miller looks every bit of his listed height and weight, but his build is dense with lean muscle. He is a bricked-up 310 lbs. and moves very well for his size. He was played as a true nose tackle all the way out to a 4i-technique. He was also used in stunts and games frequently.

Run Defense

Strong against the run, Miller has powerful hands that he uses well. He is able to lock out his elbows and anchor at the point of attack. There are several examples on tape of him dipping and shedding to uncover and make plays. He uses his agility well as a run defender.

Pass Rush Upside

With only four career sacks, it's hard to categorize Miller as a pass rusher right now. However, he does have the body type and flashes that could see him develop into more of one going forward. Right now, his primary tools for rushing the passer are a bull rush and a swim move, but he does display some quick wins in that area.

Christen Miller's weaknesses

Production

Georgia rotates its defensive line pretty heavily, but there's still not a high-production profile from him. He's never logged more than 30 tackles in a season and has never had more than 1.5 sacks in a season. His 7.4% run-stop percentage is well below several other prospects in the class.

Gap Shooting

Because of his lateral agility and lack of mass, Miller is more of a chance-taker in the run game. He's more likely to rip and shed, which can cause him to lose gap integrity, creating both positive and negative splash plays.

First Step

Noticeably slow off the snap, Miller does not have an overwhelming first step. He is frequently trying to close the gap between himself and the blocker at the line of scrimmage.

How does Christen Miller Fit?

Miller has a chance to be the best run-defending defensive tackle on the roster, which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement, but it is still noteworthy. The biggest factor with Miller is what role the Chiefs are looking for in him. If you want a true nose tackle who is a run stuffer, there are others in a similar draft range who can do it better. If you want a true pass rusher, there might be a better option as well. However, if you want a player who can do a little bit of both, the fit makes sense. The traits and tools are there, but projection is still a major factor.

Christen Miller is a defensive tackle with good size, quickness, and upper-body power. He stacks and sheds single blocks, flashes bull-rush ability, and alignment versatility. He needs better snap anticipation and gap discipline and lacks pass-rush production.

Round Grade: Red Chip (Third-round grade)