Will the Georgia Bulldogs break their 2022 NFL record for players drafted?

Last year, Kirby Smart and his guys owned the draft. Georgia set multiple records; 15 Dawgs had their names called in 2022, a modern NFL record for a seven-round draft. Five of those guys came off the board in the first round, a record for single-school defensive players. Travon Walker was the first pick, really putting a bow on that group. Unfortunately, Georgia only has 13 or 1 4 draft eligible players in this draft, but how many of those guys will actually get selected?

 

Locks:

IDL Jalen Carter

EDGE Nolan Smith

OT Broderick Jones

TE Darnell Washington

CB Kelee Ringo

RB Kenny McIntosh

S Christopher Smith II

OT Warren McClendon

I expect everyone on this list to have their name called. In terms of first round picks, this group could range from three to five. Darnell Washington and Kelee Ringo could sneak into the end of the first round, with Washington likely having the best odds.

 

Likely:

K Jack Podlesny

WR Kearis Jackson

EDGE Robert Beal Jr.

It’s hard to project kickers in the draft, but I think Podlesny is going to find a home on day three. Kearis Jackson makes sense as a project receiver and special teams warrior, and someone will probably take a flier on Beal as a solid pass rusher from a program with a good pedigree.

 

On the Bubble:

QB Stetson Bennett IV

IOL Warren Ericson

DB William Poole III

Personally, I think Stetson Bennett absolutely gets drafted, but there are reports that he’s on the bubble. He already had some concerns going into the draft, and his arrest may scare off some NFL teams. He could be in the “likely” group, but there’s smoke. Warren Ericson really didn’t test well, and his draft projection was already shaky. I said 13 or 14 when I started because William Poole was dismissed from Georgia, and I don’t expect him to be drafted for the reason he was dismissed.

I think Bennett gets his name called, along with everyone in the “likely” category. That should push Georgia up to 12 players drafted overall, which is pretty impressive. It isn’t 15, but this is another huge class Kirby Smart is sending to the NFL. Coming off of a 15-0 season and back-to-back National Titles, you have to think recruits are taking note of what’s going on in Athens.

Total: 12

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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire