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Mel Kiper's final mock draft has three Georgia players in top 20

On3 imageby:Jake Rowe•04/27/23•

JakeMRowe

Jalen Carter
Photo by Rob Davis

After months of seeing what probably amounts to a mock draft per day, we won’t see another for the 2023 NFL Draft after today. That’s because the first round begins tonight and it will be an exciting time for three Georgia players according to Mel Kiper.

The ESPN analyst put out his final mock on Thursday and it has defensive tackle Jalen Carter, linebacker Nolan Smith, and offensive tackle Broderick Jones all going in the first round. It has each of those players being taken inside the top 20 by franchises that have won the Super Bowl in the past 10 years.

Kiper has Carter as the first Bulldog off the board. Seattle is the landing spot at No. 5 and that’s a popular pick as the draft draws near.

“I just can’t see Seattle passing up its biggest need here. Carter would help it so much in the run game. He’s the No. 1 prospect on my Big Board. The other possibility is edge rusher — Tyree Wilson is still available — though the Seahawks could address it with pick No. 20. There are rumblings about their interest in quarterback Anthony Richardson (Florida), but I’m going with defense.”

Carter is coming off a season where he was limited or out for almost the entire first half. He still finished with seven tackles for loss and three sacks down the stretch.

The next Georgia player selected is Smith. Kiper has him pegged for New England with the No. 14 selection, a move that would make sense seeing as how Bill Belichick has valued Georgia players in the past.

“Smith strikes me as exactly the type of edge defender the Patriots would love to have. He could rack up 10 sacks per season for Bill Belichick & Co. I love this fit.”

Smith’s 2023 season was the inverse of Carter’s. He was a force for the first half of the year but missed the entire second half with a torn pectoral muscle. Smith, too, finished with seven tackles for loss and three sacks while appearing in eight games.

Lastly, Kiper has Jones being taken with the No. 19 pick. The landing spot is Tampa where he could fit at right or left tackle.

“I expect the Bucs to be in the tackle market, and they could take the best available guy here. Tristan Wirfs could move from right to left tackle, opening up a void on the right side. Jones was outstanding for the national champs last season.”

Jones is coming off his first full season as a starter. He was the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle for all 15 games and started four games in 2022. If he’s selected in the first round, he’ll become the fourth first-round offensive tackle from Georgia since Kirby Smart became the Bulldogs’ head coach prior to the 2016 NFL Draft.

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