Georgia football again has deep NFL draft class that could make another mark early

A year after setting an NFL seven-round draft record with 15 selections, Georgia football could see a program record three top 20 overall picks.

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter, outside linebacker Nolan Smith and offensive tackle Broderick Jones all are projected to go in that territory by most analysts, but how it all unfolds on Thursday night when the opening round is held can be unpredictable.

Only twice before has Georgia had at least three first-round draft picks. In 2018 , linebacker Roquan Smith went No. 8, offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn No. 23 and running back Sony Michel No. 31.

Last year, Georgia set a common draft record when five defensive players were taken in the first round including defensive end Travon Walker at No. 1, nose guard Jordan Davis at No. 3 and linebacker Quay Walker at No. 22.

More: The risk and reward with Georgia football DL Jalen Carter for teams in the NFL Draft

Georgia could hit double digit draftees for just the second time in a seven-round draft, joining last year’s 15.

“I feel like we’ll have 11 or 12 get drafted as well,” said outside linebacker Robert Beal. “I feel like we’re an even better team in my opinion.”

“It’s embarrassing how much talent Georgia has,” said Aaron Taylor, a former six-year NFL offensive lineman, on the CBS Sports Network.

There have been Georgia players land in the first round in recent years that were considered surprises — Eric Stokes to the Packers in 2021 and Isaiah Wilson to the Titans in 2020, both at No. 29.

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Tight end Darnell Washington and cornerback Kelee Ringo could fit the bill this year and sneak into the first round.

“First round, of course, is the standard for myself,” Ringo said at Georgia’s Pro Day in March. “If things don’t happen that way, I’m OK, too. Just put one foot forward in front of the other.”

Smith, who missed the final seven games of the season with a torn pectoral muscle, is among those who the Atlanta Falcons may be considering with the No. 8 overall pick.

“His speed, awareness and three-down traits make him a utility knife off the edge,” draft analyst Matt Miller of ESPN.com wrote:

"Nolan is intelligent,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “He's charismatic, teammates love him, he's passionate. He's full of energy and he's one of the toughest guys I've been around.”

It could be a busy Saturday when rounds four through seven are held. Offensive tackle Warren McClendon, quarterback Stetson Bennett, safety Chris Smith, running back Kenny McIntosh and Beal are likely to go.

Kicker Jack Podlesny, wide receiver Kearis Jackson and offensive guard Warren Ericson may have to go the priority free agent route.

Ringo declared for the NFL draft after his redshirt sophomore season after starting on back-to-back national championship teams. He put up a good 40 time at the NFL combine of 4.36 and has the measurables at 6-foot-1 ½ and 207 pounds that teams look for, but was inconsistent at times in pass coverage.

“There’s probably four or five guys that you look at and say that’s a first-round type of guy,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said of the cornerbacks. “Maybe six guys.”

The 6-foot-7, 272-pound Washington is a “freakish talent,” that could go in the first round, ESPN’s Mel Kiper said, but he didn’t put up big numbers in an offense where he often did the dirty work as a blocker.

“You’ve got to get the ball to Brock Bowers,” Kiper said on air. “That kind of limits the opportunities. You don’t find many tight ends with his size, his athleticism and his speed.”

Washington planned to hold a draft party in his hometown of Las Vegas.

“I feel like I’m a real complete all-around tight end,” he said. “One of my goals is coming into a team and making an impact.”

Georgia had two running backs selected a year ago in second-rounder James Cook and fourth-rounder Zamir White.

The 6-2, 204-pound McIntosh made his pitch as a versatile player “who can do it all, can create mismatches on defense, can play special teams, can run through a guy and make a guy miss,” but there’s questions on if he can be a three-down back after rushing for 829 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

“It’s a good running back class,” Giants general manager Giants Joe Schoen told reporters. “It’s got some depth to it.”

Bennett began draft week back home in Blackshear hosting a powder puff football fundraiser Monday night to benefit female sports at Pierce County High.

The NFL draft as usual will be dominated by quarterback storylines in the first round. Bennett, the former walk-on who started on Georgia’s national title teams his last two seasons and was MVP in both championship games, isn’t expected to be taken before Day 3 when rounds 4 to 7 are held.

“It’s better football,” Bennett said. “You’ve got to play clean. It will be a new playbook, new verbiage. Then just the physical game. It’s a man’s league, avoid tackles, throw on time, accuracy.”

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Broderick Jones headline UGA NFL draft class