Over the years, Georgia players have not just thrived in college, but in the NFL as well. A handful of former Bulldogs are among the most talented players at the position.

That success has made players like James Cook, Brock Bowers, George Pickens and Ladd McConkey coveted fantasy football options heading into the 2026 season.

All four playmakers are featured in ESPN’s top 300 PPR rankings, with each ranking inside the top 50. All four were part of Georgia’s first national championship team and are looking to add another productive season to their already impressive NFL careers.

The NFL regular season begins on Sept. 9, with a Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Fantasy draft season will soon be in full swing.

Hundreds of players are expected to be picked, including plenty of Georgia players ranging from first-round worthy to potential late-round selections. Here are some of the most noteworthy Bulldogs to consider when drafting.

RB James Cook, No. 12 overall PPR rank, RB6, late first-early second round

Cook enters his fifth season as the top ball-carrier for the Buffalo Bills, following a 2025 campaign where he led the league with 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Bills placed an emphasis on making Cook a primary part of the offense, feeding him 309 carries — over 100 more than his 2024 total — and hauling in 33 catches for 291 yards.

Cook was recently ranked No. 20 on the NFL Top 100 and could see an even bigger bump under new head coach and former offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

Cook’s average draft slot is 12.8, which lists him as a back-end first-round RB1 selection.

TE Brock Bowers, No. 24 PPR rank, TE2, late second-early first round

After a breakout first season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Bowers battled a lingering left knee injury that halted his overall production in 2025.

Bowers still hauled in 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns, and was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl.

Now fully healthy, Bowers enters Year 3 as the 60th-ranked player on the NFL Top 100 and arguably the best tight end in the league despite being ranked as TE2. With potential first-year quarterback Fernando Mendoza starting, Bowers provides a comfortable outlet and should be viewed as a second or third-round pick.

Most people are taking Bowers in the second round, with his draft position currently at pick 24.

WR George Pickens, No. 32 PPR rank, WR14, third round

It was a career season for Pickens during his first season with the Cowboys, who finished third in the NFL with 1,429 yards, nine touchdowns and ESPN Fantasy’s No. 5-scoring receiver.

Coming into his second year in Dallas, Pickens is playing under the franchise tag and will be eyeing another big year in order to land a new contract.

While there are always concerns playing on a team with another dynamic receiver like CeeDee Lamb, Pickens’ production should not drop off. In 12 games played together last year, Pickens averaged 16.1 fantasy points.

Pickens is best viewed as WR2 being taken by most in the third round at pick 29.

WR Ladd McConkey, No. 44 PPR rank, WR20, late fourth-early fifth round

In an interview with Sports Central LA earlier this month, McConkey said he wants to “prove that I’m a top receiver in this league.”

Now entering his third year with the LA Chargers, McConkey is undoubtedly the most consistent pass catcher for quarterback Justin Herbert to target.

McConkey had a down sophomore season following an 1,100-yard rookie campaign, finishing 12th among fantasy wide receivers.

McConkey’s average draft slot is right now at 52 in most leagues, which sets him in the fifth round.

RB D’Andre Swift, No. 60 PPR rank, RB23, sixth round

Swift is coming off back-to-back productive seasons with the Bears, eclipsing 1,000 total scrimmage yards in both years and finding the end zone 10 times in 2025 — 17th among running backs.

The seven-year NFL vet will once again rotate playing time with fellow ball carrier Kyle Monangai, who ate up a little more playing time than most Swift owners imagined and will likely see that continue this season.

If there is any bright spot, it is that Swift is still RB1 in the Bears backfield and should see consistent production at the beginning of the year, as Monangai continues to come back from a multiweek knee injury. The unknown about how much Swift is used each week makes him a low-ceiling RB2/flex.

However, fantasy owners still think the risk is still the worth reward for Swift, considering his average draft position is 68, or in the sixth round.

QB Matthew Stafford, No. 86 PPR rank, QB12, eighth round

Fresh off his MVP season, where he led the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46), and tied for third most fantasy points scored by any position player, Matt Stafford enters his 18th year at quarterback — fifth with the Rams — looking to somehow replicate his historic 2025 year.

Assuming the rushing attack can be better than it was a year ago — ranking 27th — there might be some regression to Stafford’s gaudy passing numbers. That said, he still has dynamic playmakers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who are more than plenty for Stafford to have another big year.

Stafford doesn’t have much rushing upside, which hurts his fantasy value.

Zachariah Branch, No. 208 PPR rank, WR78

The lone Georgia rookie to break the top 300 was Zachariah Branch. While he spent one season in Athens, Branch set the single-season program record for receptions with 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns.

Now just 70 miles away in Atlanta, Branch is already standing out, as the Falcons will try getting him the ball whatever way possible.

Branch has tremendous upside, but he is likely to fall behind the depth chart in the receiving room to be a big enough factor. Consider him a late-round pickup or only take him in dynasty leagues. He currently has only been selected in 5.4% of ESPN leagues.

Other Georgia skill players worth keeping tabs on