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Georgia football NFL mock draft: Which Bulldogs improved their draft stock at the scouting combine?

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11 members of the Georgia Bulldogs made the journey to Indianapolis for the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and from that group, three emerged as potential first-round picks in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Indianapolis has become a familiar destination for the Bulldogs, known for their strong representation at the combine. However, this year saw a shift as the standout players attracting NFL team interest were from the offensive side rather than Kirby Smart’s defensive squad.

The performance of these three offensive players – Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims, and Ladd McConkey – at the combine has bolstered their draft prospects significantly. With the NFL Draft still a couple of months away, teams are already beginning to strategize and shape their draft boards. It’s likely that these standout Bulldogs, along with other draft-eligible players from Georgia, will be on the radar of many teams as they prepare for the draft.

Brock Bowers

1st round | TE

Brock Bowers goes in second half of first round in 2024 NFL mock draft - Yahoo Sports

Brock Bowers opted out of participating in workouts in Indianapolis, a move that suggests a positive outlook for his draft position. Instead, he focused on meeting with teams, potentially receiving assurances that he won’t slip beyond the top 10 picks. Bowers is seen as an ideal match for New York, particularly since the Jets have a pressing need for offensive tackles to protect Aaron Rodgers.

Should Joe Douglas successfully address the offensive line through free agency, it would open up the opportunity to invest in a player like Bowers, who could be this year’s version of Sam LaPorta, but with even more potential upside.

Amarius Mims

1st round | OT

For a brief moment, Mims seemed to be the standout performer at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. There were whispers of an impressive 4.33 short shuttle time, comparable to Joe Mixon’s combine performance, despite Mims towering at 6-foot-7 and weighing 340 pounds. However, the Twitter rumor regarding his agility testing was debunked, although Mims still made a significant impression in Indianapolis.

Mims undoubtedly excelled in terms of measurements, boasting the most favorable size among offensive tackle prospects, and he also showcased impressive speed in the 40-yard dash. However, it’s worth noting that his 10-yard split wasn’t the strongest, a crucial factor for offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash. Nonetheless, the New Orleans Saints, facing challenges with Ryan Ramczyk’s aging and the uncertain future of former first-rounder Trevor Penning, are in dire need of offensive tackle reinforcements.

Ladd McConkey

2nd round | WR

McConkey put on an impressive performance at the combine that could be likened to a first-round caliber showing, yet with only 32 spots available and a surplus of wide receiver talent, competition is fierce. Despite not participating in agility testing, which could have highlighted his strengths even more, McConkey still managed to clock in a sub-4.40 40-yard dash.

Interestingly, McConkey’s greatest asset as a receiver lies not solely in his speed off the mark, but rather in his exceptional ability to decelerate and change direction quickly. This agility and ability to stop abruptly could make him a valuable asset for teams. The New England Patriots, in particular, may appreciate his versatility as an outside receiver capable of slot duties if required. Furthermore, if the Patriots opt to select a quarterback in the first round, having a reliable target like McConkey would be essential for their passing game.

Kamari Lassiter

3rd round | CB

One of the primary risks at the NFL Scouting Combine is the tendency to overemphasize certain attributes. Just as it was already evident that Amarius Mims possesses immense size, it was also apparent that Lassiter might be undersized for a defensive back. He measured in at 5’11” and 186 pounds and chose not to participate in drills other than agility testing. However, he still managed to impress with the third-fastest 20-yard shuttle time among cornerbacks at the combine.

While it would have been beneficial to see more from Lassiter during his time in Indianapolis, his performance was sufficient to maintain his position as a projected Day 2 pick. He could find a suitable fit in Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme in Washington, potentially slotting in as a nickel cornerback.

Kendall Milton

4th round | RB

Among the 11 Georgia Bulldogs who participated in the combine, Milton emerged as perhaps the standout performer. His physical attributes were particularly impressive, as he posted a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at 6’1″ and 225 pounds, along with a broad jump of 10’4″, ranking sixth among running backs and exceptional considering his size. Milton’s relative athletic score of 9.50 is considered elite and is likely to significantly boost his draft stock.

The Arizona Cardinals have a penchant for big-bodied running backs, despite concerns about their injury history. With James Conner carrying a heavy workload, adding more size to the backfield centered around dynamic quarterback Kyler Murray could prove advantageous. Milton appears to be a perfect fit for the Cardinals’ system, and if he lands in Arizona, there’s potential for him to make a significant impact, possibly racking up double-digit touchdowns within his first two seasons.

Javon Bullard

4th round | FS

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings relied on two dependable safeties, Cameron Bynum and Harrison Smith, who were both key contributors, leading the defense in snaps. However, Smith’s age is becoming a concern, and while Bynum played a significant number of snaps, he didn’t exactly shine.

Considering this, the Vikings might consider selecting Bullard, who, like Lassiter, might be considered undersized for an NFL secondary. However, with Brian Flores as their defensive coordinator, known for his strategic acumen, Bullard’s versatility as a free safety, coupled with his impressive 4.47-second 40-yard dash time, could make him a valuable asset in their defensive scheme.

Tykee Smith

4th round | FS

Smith’s decision to transition from cornerback to free safety appears to be a wise one, especially considering his performance at the combine. Despite having played primarily as a nickel cornerback last season, with minimal experience at free safety, Smith’s versatility makes him an intriguing prospect for teams like the Baltimore Ravens.

With Geno Stone departing in free agency, the Ravens are in need of a developmental safety to complement Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. Smith’s impressive combine workouts have certainly bolstered his draft stock, although his physical stature remains a fixed aspect. Ultimately, his fate may hinge on his performance in one-on-one team meetings and whether any team becomes enamored with his potential.

Sedrick Van Pran-Granger

6th round | C/OG

The Philadelphia Eagles have a history of favoring Georgia Bulldogs in the draft, typically targeting defensive players. However, this time around, Howie Roseman might opt for a late-round selection of a UGA offensive lineman to bolster depth at the center position.

With Jason Kelce potentially nearing retirement, and Cam Jurgens, previously considered his successor, seeing limited action as Philly’s left guard last season, there’s a need for a reliable backup. Van Pran-Granger emerges as a promising option, particularly following a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. Although his performance at the combine wasn’t outstanding, coupled with his modest size, there’s speculation that he could transition to guard full-time in the NFL. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that Kelce himself was considered undersized, yet the Eagles developed him into a Hall of Famer, suggesting that size isn’t always a limiting factor.

Zion Logue

6th round | DT
While Logue didn’t stand out as a disruptor during his time at Georgia, his performance as a starter on the defensive line showcased his ability as a dependable space-eater. His presence could complement Aaron Donald well in Los Angeles, as Logue’s elite size would enable Donald to be more disruptive by drawing attention from multiple offensive linemen.
This partnership could create opportunities for Donald to excel, benefiting from Logue’s ability to occupy blockers effectively.

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint

7th round | WR

Rosemy-Jacksaint opted out of most testing at the combine and is expected to wait until Georgia’s Pro Day to run the 40-yard dash, a decision that might impact his draft positioning. However, despite this, his draft stock seems to be slipping following an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

The Cleveland Browns have shown a preference for physical receivers who excel at high-pointing the football, which aligns well with Rosemy-Jacksaint’s strengths. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 195 pounds, with a 35-inch vertical leap, he presents an intriguing option worth considering, perhaps as a seventh-round pick.

As for Daijun Edwards, the running back didn’t participate in most combine testing, only completing the broad jump. His potential could be better showcased at UGA’s Pro Day, but at present, he may not be prominently featured on many teams’ draft boards, potentially making him more of an undrafted free agent prospect.

 

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