When Brock Bowers was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13 overall and Adamari Mims was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 18, the Bulldogs were off and running in the first round.
Before Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Tykee Smith went off the board in the third round, Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers), Kamari Lassiter (Houston Texans), and Jayvon Bullard (Green Bay Packers) all went in the second round.
In the fourth round, no Bulldog was chosen, but in the fifth round, the Buffalo Bills selected Sedrick Van Pran.In the sixth round, the Atlanta Falcons selected Zion Logue, the eighth and last Bulldog taken.
Despite not being selected, Kendall Milton, Daijun Edwards, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and Tramel Walthour all signed free-agent contracts soon after the draft.
Rosemy-Jacksaint signed with the Washington Commanders, Tramel Walthour joined the Baltimore Ravens, Edwards joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Milton joined the Philadelphia Eagles.
Let’s look at each of the 12 Georgia players along with the NFL numbers they will wear:
RAIDERS, TE BROCK BOWERS: 89
chosen with the 13th overall choice in the first round by the Las Vegas Raiders
Height: 6-3
Mass: 243
Statistics from Georgia: During his three years there, Bowers caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. In addition, he gained 193 yards and 5 touchdowns on 19 carries.
What he adds to the NFL: Bowers is unquestionably one of the best tight end prospects of the modern era, aside from former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.
Bowers is a deft receiver who has proven to be a trustworthy target with steady hands. In addition to consistently finding openings downfield, Bowers also appeared to make use of his physicality, breaking tackles and driving piles forward for extra yards.
Recently, there have been doubts raised concerning Bowers’ athletic prowess, but these are baseless. He frequently displayed his exceptional speed for his position by taking end-arounds and turning them into big plays.
Bowers was a proficient run blocker for the Bulldogs as well. Even while he may not have had as many spectacular blocks as his colleague Darnell Washington, Bowers was more than happy to put in the grunt work necessary to free up a teammate to scamper downfield.
In short, Bowers is the whole deal at the tight end.
BENGALS: AMARIUS MIMS: 71
chosen with the 18th overall pick in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals
Height: 6 to 8
Mass: 340
UGA statistics: Over the course of three years, Mims started eight games out of a possible 29 as a Bulldog. Mims received an overall grade of 75.6 from Pro Football Focus for 2023 (81.2 pass blocking, 68.4 run blocking) and 77.5 for 2022 (80.0 pass blocking, 73.2 run blocking).
What he offers to the NFL: Mims proved at Georgia that he was worthy of the hype, which made him a five-star recruit for a reason.
In terms of pass blocking, Mims demonstrated his unwavering consistency and his ability to block in the run game as well. There should be no shortage of NFL teams looking to add Mims to their roster because he demonstrated unusual athleticism for his size.
Mim is positioned to be among the top tackles picked only based on his measurables. Mims is in the 97th percentile for wingspan (86 ¾), 97th percentile for hand size (11 ¼), 95th percentile for arm length (36 ⅛), 94th percentile for weight (340), and 91st percentile for height (6-7 ¾), according to the draft website MockDraftable.
LADD WR MCCONKEY, 15 CHARGERS
Chosen with the 34th overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round.
Height: 6-0
186 pounds
UGA stats: In three seasons, McConkey grabbed 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns.
What he adds to the NFL: McConkey developed a playmaking habit, which is quite basic.
With his ability to take precise routes against defenses, McConkey established himself as a reliable player in crucial situations.
Despite having drops in his redshirt sophomore season, he overcame them and quickly lived up to the anticipation that had grown since the previous fall.
At 5’11⅝ and 186 pounds, McConkey isn’t the biggest receiver, but he was able to outmuscle opponents with his size and trickery speed.
With a 4.39 40-yard sprint time at the NFL Combine, McConkey frequently caught defenders off guard and made more wide-open touchdown catches than one may have anticipated.
Of fact, appearances can be very misleading.
It didn’t hurt McConkey’s draft stock that his combine stats were better than those of Garrett Wilson of the Jets.
Because of his history of injuries at Georgia, he has probably received some criticism from NFL personnel, but overall, everyone believed that he would be a Day 2 choice at best and might go undrafted in his first round.
Texas: 14 CB Kamari Lassiter
chosen with the 42nd overall pick in the second round by the Houston Texans
Height: 6-0
186 pounds
UGA stats: Lassiter had 86 stops, 15 interceptions, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 1 sack over the course of three seasons.
What he adds to the NFL: Lasseter developed into a dependable corner for Georgia, seldom allowing huge completions.
Throughout his time as a Bulldog, he repeatedly demonstrated good coverage instincts and his tendency to get a hand on the football resulted in several passes being defended.
Prior to the selection, Lassiter’s speed was questioned a little bit. However, his amazing 6.62-second 3-cone drill, which was the best time among corners at the NFL Combine, should allay any worries.
During his time at Georgia, he never appeared to have any difficulty keeping up with quick receivers.
Lassiter’s physicality is one of his best assets, and it was evident when it came time to make a tackle.
Lassiter could always be relied upon to square up on the ball carrier and bring him down, whether he was racing up to halt the run or leveling a receiver further down the field.
S. Jackson Bullard, 20 packers
chosen with the 58th overall choice by the Green Bay Packers in the second round.
Height: 5-11
Weight: 198
UGA stats: Bullard has 114 stops, 8 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 8 tackles for loss in three years.
What he adds to the NFL: Bullard is the kind of defender that supporters of the league will undoubtedly grow to appreciate.
Apart from his unwavering commitment to throwing a heavy hit, Bullard was also a very dependable tackler. His ability to tackle both deep in the secondary and when he raced up to defend the run will make him a highly sought-after player at the next level.
Bullard was quick enough to match the fastest wide receivers and had the know-how to do the job. Bullard was invaluable when given the chance to stop a play, whether it was luring a quarterback into a risky throw, anticipating a pass and moving to the right spot, or just putting his hand on a potential reception.
At the NFL Combine, Bullard weighed 198 pounds and was 5 feet 10 inches tall, so he wasn’t the largest safety prospect, but his quickness more than made up for his small frame.
Bullard’s 4.47 40-yard sprint and 1.51-second 10-yard split at the combine put him in the 79th and 83rd percentiles, respectively, among safety prospects, according to Mockdraftable.
Bullard’s willingness to line up whenever and wherever is another plus, as he has made clear in discussions with the media prior to the selection.
There isn’t anything to criticize about Bullard’s business practices because of his dependability, willingness to comply with requests, and leadership.
SMITH, TYKEE, BUCCANEERS: 23
chosen with the 89th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round.
Height: 5 to 10
Weight: 202
Georgia statistics: Smith totaled 101 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 4 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble in his three years there.
What he adds to the NFL: Smith has established himself as a reliable coverage player and above-average tackler.
He was usually playing up at the line of scrimmage for Georgia, where he played STAR most of the time.
That gave him the opportunity to support the run defense, which he did by making tackles in many one-on-one scenarios.
Smith ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the combine, demonstrating his impressive speed. His dependable hands also made him a dangerous pass-interception threat.
Although he is thought to have safety potential, he might have to start his NFL career as a nickel before switching to the back end of the secondary.
Bills for C. Sedrick Van Pran, 62
141st overall pick in the fifth round, chosen by the Buffalo Bills
Height: 6-4
Mass: 298
UGA stats: During his final three seasons, Van Pran appeared in 48 games and started 44 of them. In 2023, he was named a first-team All-American by ESPN and Sports Illustrated after a season in which Pro Football Focus assessed him at 81.5 as a pass blocker and 76.9 as a run blocker.
What he adds to the NFL: Van Pran played center at Georgia and was incredibly reliable. He was a dependable run game player as well as a trustworthy throw blocker, with very few bad snaps.
Though it seems corny, Van Pran will not hesitate to establish himself with his new comrades. Given his leadership stature among his teammates, his choice to return to Georgia for the 2017 season was viewed as a huge success.
It was deemed especially crucial following the sad vehicle accident that claimed the life of offensive lineman Devin Willock.
Van Pran’s versatility will come in very handy throughout the draft. Back in March, Van Pran told reporters that he was eager to play at any position at the next level and that he was currently working as a guard.
Van Pran spent most of his time at Georgia snapping the ball, but his mobility was a plus for his draft stock.
59. DT ZION LOGO, FALCONS
197th overall when chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round.
Height: 6 feet 6 inches
Mass: 314
UGA statistics: Logue left Georgia with 52 career tackles, 3 pass break-ups, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in five seasons at the university.
What Logue brings to the NFL: A run stuffer in the center of the defensive line, he played a key role in several successful run-stopping Georgia fronts. While his numbers weren’t spectacular, he played a significant role as a nose tackle and was constantly relied upon to create openings for his teammates and the linebackers in front of him.
Considering his draft stock, Logue has amazing dimensions. At the NFL Combine, Logue’s measurements of 6 feet 5 inches and 314 pounds placed him in the 94th percentile for height and the 74th percentile for weight among all defensive lineman in the database maintained by Mockdraftable.
Logue isn’t going to draw a lot of attention or compile an unbelievable stat line, like so many other players in his position. He’s left to handle the grunt job on defense instead, but it seems to fit him nicely.
RB MILTON, RB EAGLES: 36
signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles
Height: 6 feet, 1 inch
225 pounds in weight
UGA statistics: In his four seasons as a Bulldog, Milton carried the ball 297 times for 1,839 yards and 23 touchdowns.
What Milton brings to the NFL: Milton is an agile runner with the ability to locate openings quickly. He can easily leave defenders in the dust as he sprints down the field because to his fluid stride.
Milton was not particularly a power back, but he could push piles ahead and was ready to battle for additional yards. He also had the ability to run past ankle tackles. Over the course of his collegiate career, Milton appeared to make progress in his field vision, eventually demonstrating a clear understanding of which direction to cut and which part of the field to run toward.
Milton was not frequently found passing the ball out of the backfield by Georgia, but when it did come his way, he usually proved to be a dependable pass-catcher. He contributed to giving Carson Beck lots of time in the pocket by being a reliable pass protector for the Bulldogs.
RB Steelers, Daijun Edwards: 31
signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Height: 5 to 10
Mass: 207
UGA stats: Edwards carried the ball 391 times for 2,082 yards and 24 touchdowns in his four seasons as a Bulldog.
What he contributes to the NFL: At 5-9 ⅝ and 207 pounds, Edwards isn’t the biggest back, but he doesn’t let that stop him from playing. Edwards not only has enough speed, but he also has a consistent physical presence and a willingness to battle for those crucial extra yards.
Edwards can break tackles while moving down the field and has a tendency to take advantage of even the slightest rushing lanes. The first defender to face Edwards almost never managed to bring him to the ground. During the 2022 season, he experienced a few fumbles, but overall, he was a dependable ball carrier.
Being able to wear down defenders late in games and still seem as fresh carrying the ball as he did early on was maybe Edwards’ greatest quality. While Kendall Milton was superior in the blocking department, he was still a reliable ball-catcher out of the backfield and provided adequate pass protection.
Given the general devaluation of running backs, Edwards is not considered one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class, and it appears that he will have to wait a while to hear his name called. Having said that, he demonstrated a lot of admirable qualities while attending Georgia, and I think he can find a niche.
Commands: 83; WR: Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
signed as a free agent without draft selection by the Washington Commanders
Height: 6-1
195 pounds
Statistics for Georgia: Rosemy-Jacksaint, who had 74 career catches for 1,028 yards and 7 touchdowns, left the university after four seasons.
Rosemy-Jacksaint wasn’t selected as one of the top wide receivers in this year’s draft, but he has the potential to be a solid player at the next level, which is what he brings to the NFL.
This past season, Rosemy-Jacksaint served as a sort of safety net for Carson Beck, and he made the most of it by being remarkably dependable. When he’s out on a route, he appears like a tall target, and his sure hands will help him reel in pass after pass.
Rosemy-Jacksaint can produce yards after the catch even though he isn’t a burner by any means. He is quick enough to pose a deep danger, and when the situation calls for it, his stature and sure hands allow him to make big plays.
Rosemy-Jacksaint was a great blocker, which is why he played as much as he did after his injury. Never was that more evident than in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game, when he made a crucial block to prevent Bowers from scoring the winning score.
WALTHOUR DE TRAMEL, RAVENS: 94
signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens
Height: 6-3
Weight: 270
Walthour played for five seasons at Georgia, finishing with a career total of fifty tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two passes defensed.
What Walthour offers to the NFL: At Georgia, Walthour was a rotational player who was relied upon to complete his tasks while he was on the field. Despite his lack of flare and statistics, the coaches relied on him and kept utilizing him even after Mykel Williams made a big impact.
Walthour frequently filled in at defensive end, sharing the majority of the work with Williams. 2023 saw Walthour start five games, play in thirteen, and finish the campaign with 11 tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss.
In 2022, Walthour was a starting defensive end, while Williams, a true freshman, gained experience. Walthour finished the season with 24 tackles while participating in all 15 games and starting 13 of them. In addition, he had one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
In the 2020 season, Walthour played in 14 games and finished with 14 tackles and 2 pass break-ups. In 2019, he played in 8 games during his Bulldog debut season and recorded 1 tackle.
Walthour was a three-star prospect at Hutchinson Community College before moving to Georgia. In ten games for Hutchinson in 2018, he totaled 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.
