Dawg Domination: Contextualizing Georgia's record Round 1 haul in the 2022 NFL Draft

It really has been the Year of the Dawg. In January, the Georgia Bulldogs snapped a 40-year national title drought and then dominated the opening round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday night with the very players who anchored their championship run. Dawg Domination, indeed.

UGA fielded a historic defense in 2021, with an absurd collection of talent who sacrificed stats playing in a scheme that emphasized we over me. The Bulldogs didn’t have a single player with more than 75 tackles or six sacks, yet as a unit, they allowed just 16 touchdowns and led the nation in scoring defense. As a team, the Bulldogs were Top 5 nationally in yards per play (4.15), sacks (49), rush defense, forcing three-and-outs and several other categories. 

The selflessness by Kirby Smart’s players paid off. Big time. 

The Bulldogs became the first program in history to produce five defensive players drafted together in the 1st Round, eclipsing Florida State (2006) and Miami (2004) who each had four defenders picked in the same 1st Round.

Travon Walker went No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, becoming the highest-drafted defensive player all-time at Georgia. Nose tackle Jordan Davis went No. 13 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Green Bay Packers selected linebacker Quay Walker (No. 22) and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (28). 

Bulldogs safety Lewis Cine was a popular name in mock drafts to go to Detroit in the final pick on Day 1, and while the Lions traded that pick earlier in the draft, the All-American safety still capped the 1st Round by going to Minnesota (No. 32). 

Remarkably, do-it-all linebacker Nakobe Dean somehow wasn’t among UGA’s record haul Thursday. The All-American was the most productive player on Georgia’s championship defense (72 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 10.5 TFLs, two interceptions) and is expected to hear his name called early on Day 2. 

The record-haul also didn’t include former UGA pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, who went No. 26 to the New York Jets. Johnson played two seasons in Athens before opting for a bigger role at Florida State, where the transfer won ACC Defensive Player of the Year last fall. 

In all, the Georgia Bulldogs had more defensive players selected on Day 1 than the entire ACC (four total) and Pac-12 (four total). 

Examining Travon Walker going No. 1 overall

The pick was controversial according to some draft experts, who lamented Walker’s lack of production (just 9.0 career sacks) despite his tape and crazy measurables. Walker is the first No. 1 overall pick in the modern era who never made an All-Conference or All-American team, per ESPN Stats & Info.

And yet, the Jags landed a freak athlete with a toolbox that would make Bob the Builder jealous. 

omg they killed the pulling center 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/Q3y7vlJELC

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 1, 2022

The Bulldog was a former five-star recruit who showcased an ability to dominate as a run defender, but also flash as a pass rusher and chase down running backs and receivers from behind.

Tremendous effort by DL Travon Walker #44. If he doesn’t make this play, it might be a TD and Alabama has the lead going into halftime.

275-pounders shouldn’t be able to move like #44. 1st round talent, 1st round effort. pic.twitter.com/R8mRX7xJNs

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 11, 2022

Walker is the ultimate “traits” bet, wowing scouts at the NFL Combine with a crazy combination of size, speed, power and agility. At 271 pounds, Walker ran a 4.51-second 40-yard-dash, besting lots of receivers and running backs. He has long arms and a powerful base (35.5-inch vertical jump). 

He may be a raw talent as a pure pass rusher, but his upside is tremendous and Jacksonville is betting on him becoming a versatile, freakish Swiss Army knife in their defense. 

Extra Points 

The Georgia Bulldogs have produced plenty of defensive line talent over the years, but Jordan Davis became the school’s first defensive tackle to go in Round 1 since the New Orleans Saints selected Johnathan Sullivan No. 6 overall in 2003.

Elsewhere, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutenkunst has an affinity for Kirby Smart developed defensive players. In consecutive drafts, the Packers have selected a UGA defender with a 1st Round pick. 

2021: CB Eric Stokes (No. 29 overall)

2022: LB Quay Walker (No. 22 overall)

2022: QT Devonte Wyatt (No. 28 overall)

The 1st Round also served as a developmental infomercial for Kirby Smart and his staff once again. Although the Georgia Bulldogs are loaded with five-star talent, only Travon Walker was rated as such as a recruit. Both Davis and Wyatt were former three-star prospects, while Walker and Cine were four-star recruits. Thursday was a major recruiting night for the Bulldogs, as Smart proved his system not only works in college football but prepares players to become high NFL Draft picks — even without gaudy stats.