Three former UGA football players are frequently projected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft next month.
Head coach Kirby Smart has seen 17 of his former players drafted in the NFL’s first round, which is quite a prestigious achievement. Defensive lineman Mykel Williams, linebacker Jalon Walker, and safety Malaki Starks are the three prospects with a strong chance of continuing this trend.
The recent NFL Scouting Combine has spurred ESPN analysts to create mock drafts for fans as we approach the selection day in about seven weeks. Renowned NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Jordan Reid both anticipate that these three Bulldogs will hear their names called on draft night.
Kiper shared his predictions just as the combine was starting, while Reid released his shortly after the event concluded, offering two different perspectives. Among the trio, Starks was the only one to participate in drills over the weekend. Walker and Williams were present to take measurements but did not partake in drills. Reports indicate that Walker has suffered a thigh injury and is also expected to sit out Georgia’s pro day next week. In contrast, Williams is anticipated to participate.
The Carolina Panthers hold the overall eighth pick in the draft, and both Kiper and Reid have projected a Georgia player to be selected there. Kiper predicts Walker will go to Carolina, while Reid has Williams being picked by the Panthers. It’s become increasingly common to see one of these two Bulldogs mocked to Carolina.
Walker appears to have slightly more versatility compared to Williams, who has been consistently projected as a top-10 pick. Reid has the Atlanta Falcons selecting Walker at 15th overall. The Falcons have noticeable needs on defense and reportedly only met with defensive players, including Bulldogs, during the early combine meetings. This could be the year that a former Georgia player with great potential is drafted early by the team whose practice facility is just over an hour from Athens.
Starks is the player at greater risk of not being drafted early. Kiper predicts he will go to the Indianapolis Colts at 14th overall, while Reid has him going to the Baltimore Ravens at 27th overall. Starks had a strong performance at the combine, showing the fastest top speeds among safeties in most of the drills he participated in.
All three of these players have been highlighted as potential first-round selections since their high school days, largely due to their versatility.
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