The 2026 NFL Draft began Thursday, with NFL teams choosing from the cream of the crop and taking their first-round picks. While no Bruins were drafted on Day 1, six more rounds remain, giving the draft-eligible UCLA football players more chances to achieve their professional aspirations. Rounds 2 and 3 will begin Friday evening, while rounds 4 through 7 will start Saturday morning. Daily Bruin Sports editor Connor Dullinger gives his predictions for which Bruins will get drafted, what pick they will be selected with and what team will choose them.

Garrett DiGiorgio, OT, 6’7”, 320 lbs
Round 6, Pick No. 194, Tennessee Titans

UCLA has produced an NFL draftee every year since 2012.

And 2026 could very well break the 13-year streak.

But if anyone is going to stop it, it’ll be offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio.

DiGiorgio – a savvy veteran and a team captain in his senior year – finished his four-year Bruin career with 49 starts, ranking second on UCLA’s all-time starting list, with just three fewer than now-San Francisco 49er Jake Brendel.

His 49 starts came across three positions, with 38 at right tackle, 10 at right guard and one at left tackle. While most of his snaps came from the right tackle spot, he projects to be an interior offensive lineman at the next level, having started the majority of his senior season at right guard.

DiGiorgio scored a 6.00 Relative Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00 at the NFL Combine – ranking No. 643 out of 1,606 offensive tackles from 1987 to 2026.

Both his composite agility and speed grade were designated “poor,” while his composite size and explosion grade were deemed “good.” The only physical attribute that reached the green was his 6-foot-7 height, which received an 8.35 score.

Starting quarterback Cam Ward tied for first in the NFL in most sacks taken with 55, and the Titans will likely be looking to replenish their offensive front, so their former first overall pick can operate comfortably under center.

While DiGiorgio is far from seeing starting reps in front of Ward, he may have the opportunity to prove himself with his deep college experience, veteran leadership and high IQ over the summer during training camp, allowing him to retain a roster spot or a place on the practice squad if drafted.

Gary Smith III, DT, 6’2”, 319 lbs
Round 7, Pick No. 242, New York Jets

Just 15 picks before the “Mr. Irrelevant” selection, the New York Jets may take the second Bruin of the draft.

Smith enters the professional arena with five years of Power Four experience – spending his first two seasons of college football at Duke and his last three in Westwood.

Across his five seasons of college football, Smith accumulated 112 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and two passes defended. His most productive season came in his final year as a Bruin, when he started every game, recording 40 tackles and 0.5 sacks – earning him a 2025 All-Big Ten honorable mention nod.

His 40 tackles ranked first among UCLA defensive linemen, and he was a lone bright spot on a defense that ranked dead last in the nation in sacks.

Smith could not garner a complete RAS because of a lack of measurements, and he did not run a 40-yard dash. Additionally, his composite agility grade was designated “very poor,” and his composite explosiveness grade was deemed as “DNQ” after not completing the broad jump.

He was given an “okay” composite size score, due to his weight of 319 pounds – the only metric that appeared in the green.

Smith projects as a space-eating nose tackle who can use his wide base and broad chest to stay square through blocks from the offensive line. His strong base also allows him to take on offensive double teams, using it as a foundation.

The former Bruin offers little ceiling as an interior pass rusher but could be selected with a late round pick and could find a roster spot as a run-stopper and big body that can be a rotational piece in the center of the defensive line.

The Jets ranked second-to-last in the league in sacks and fourth-to-last in rushing yards allowed per game, giving Smith an NFL team thin in the trenches that could make his professional aspirations come true.

Potential Undrafted Free Agents:

Key Lawrence, S, 6’1”, 200 lbs
2025 stats: 70 tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception

JonJon Vaughns, LB, 6’1”, 225 lbs
2025 stats: 107 tackles, one sack, one pass defended

Kechaun Bennett, DL, 6’4”, 257 lbs
2025 stats: 25 tackles, one sack

Jacob Busic, DL, 6’4”, 265 lbs
2025 stats: 18 tackles, one sack

Devin Aupiu, DL, 6’5”, 270 lbs
2025 stats: 15 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble

Jalen Berger, RB, 6’1”, 215 lbs
2025 stats: 364 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 70 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns

Anthony Frias II, RB, 5’10”, 225 lbs
2025 stats: 183 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 78 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown

Hudson Habermehl, TE, 6’7”, 245 lbs
2025 stats: 20 receptions, 138 receiving yards

Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, WR, 6’1”, 190 lbs
2025 stats: 25 receptions, 322 yards, three receiving touchdowns