Georgia Football: Four Bulldogs in first round according to Edholm

Eric Edholm of NFL.com released his first version of a 2023 NFL mock draft over the weekend, and he’s got four Georgia players in the first round. At this point, it’s probably names you recognize – both from following their collegiate careers and from keeping up with the projections for the first round from NFL experts.

Edholm starts things off for Georgia at the No. 1 overall pick with Jalen Carter going to the Chicago Bears. While he does acknowledge the debate between Carter and Alabama’s Will Anderson, along with the value that could come from trading the pick all together, Carter could be an instant impact maker for a team that seems to have its quarterback situation already in place.

Carter finished up his Georgia career by being named an unanimous All-American, one of just 13 in program history, totaling 32 tackles on the season including 7.0 for loss, all of which came in a five game stretch after returning to full strength from a few injuries that bothered him early in the year. If he were to go No. 1 overall, it’d be the second straight year for Georgia to have a Bulldog defensive lineman taken in the top spot.

Bears fans will spend the next few months projecting trades down and debating Carter vs. Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. In this trade-free exercise, Chicago lands the most impactful interior rusher in the 2023 class. – Edholm

Broderick Jones to the Tennessee Titans at No. 11 has become a popular pick. With the franchise likely looking for a new left tackle, Jones could be the replacement – just as he was for Georgia this season when the Bulldogs had to replace 2022 NFL Draft selection Jamaree Salyer. Jones started all 15 games for Georgia at left tackle, stepping in after Salyer departed for the NFL this time last year. Normally a switch at left tackle would make headlines. The way Jones handled things, it was far from on the front of Georgia fans’ minds in 2022.

Changes are coming on offense, and adding a dose of athleticism up front feels important. Jones moved nimbly in the two College Football Playoff games and could be Taylor Lewan‘s immediate replacement. – Edholm

Finally, in back to back picks, Edholm has Kelee Ringo and Darnell Washington coming off the board at No. 23 to the Minnesota Vikings and No. 24 to the Jacksonville Jaguars respectively. Both would be joining teammates of theirs from the 2021 Georgia squad after Lewis Cine was selected by the Vikings in the first round and Travon Walker went to the Jaguars with the No. 1 overall pick.

Ringo’s traits say he’s a first rounder, and is highlights do too, but there were times where he seemed to struggle. Is that just the case with any cornerback playing at a high level of College Football? Maybe. Could it be telling that Ringo isn’t the sure-fire, plug-and-play corner that many thought he would be? Also could be true. Ringo was named Second-Team All-SEC by both the AP and Coaches this season starting all 15 games on the outside for the Bulldogs as he finished with 42 total tackles and two interceptions.

Washington was banged up at the end of the season, but he still managed to be a major contributor. Battling through an ankle injury in the National Championship Game, Washington played only one snap less than his season average. He caught a pass for 28 yards that set up the final score of Stetson Bennett’s career. It was the fourth straight game he caught a pass as a part of a career-best season with 28 catches, 454 yards and two touchdowns. Those single-season totals topped his combined totals of the two previous years, his career up to that point.

Patrick Peterson is a free agent, and the Vikings needed corner help last season with Peterson on the roster. Ringo isn’t a first-round prospect for everyone, but he’s gifted enough to gamble on here. – Edholm

Jacksonville could use more help defensively, but adding a king-sized blocker and receiver for Trevor Lawrence makes a ton of sense. Washington reminds me of longtime Jaguar Marcedes Lewis. – Edholm