Georgia lands three in latest version of Daniel Jeremiah mock draft

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com released the second version of his mock draft this week with the NFL season complete and the pre-draft process well underway. Some players have had chances to participate in various showcase style games like the Senior Bowl and many more – including 12 from Georgia – will put their skills to the test at the NFL Scouting Combine next week in Indianapolis.

Speaking of the Bulldogs, Jeremiah is bullish on the players coming out of Kirby Smart’s program. With three players projected by him to be taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Georgia would hold the tie for players from a single program in Jeremiah’s eyes along with fellow College Football elites Alabama and Ohio State. The Bulldogs didn’t get a crack at the Crimson Tide during the 2022 season but took down both programs during the calendar eye, beating Alabama to win the 2022 National Championship Game and Ohio State to earn a spot in the 2023 version.

As for the players Jeremiah has mocked though, all three of whom helped make the wins possible, defensive lineman Jalen Carter comes off the board in the top overall spot to the Chicago Bears. It would mark the second straight season a Georgia player has been picked No. 1 with Travon Walker going to the Jacksonville Jaguars last April.

Carter finished up his Georgia career by being named an unanimous All-American in 2022, one of just 13 in program history. He totaled 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.

I’m not projecting trades in a mock draft this early in the offseason, but I’ll be surprised if the Bears end up holding onto the No. 1 overall pick. That said, I don’t think they’ll move down beyond the range of one of the top defensive players. – Jeremiah on Carter to the Bears

Offensive tackle Broderick Jones is widely being projected in the top 15 with a potential landing spot at No. 11 to the Tennessee Titans. Jeremiah has the Titans going another direction in need of an offensive tackle but Jones not slipping too far from there going No. 13 to the New York Jets. Former Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis went No. 13 last year to the Philadelphia Eagles and was a part of their NFC Championship winning squad.

GM Joe Douglas continues to invest in the offensive line. The Jets have been crushed by injuries up front, so it’s imperative that they continue to bolster the unit. Jones has tremendous upside. – Jeremiah the Jones/Jets fit

Finally, with the final pick of the first round, Jeremiah has the Kansas City Chiefs taking chance on a Bulldog that got banged up in 2022. Outside linebacker Nolan Smith suffered a season ending injury in October and was forced to miss the final seven games of Georgia’s season. Still, he was impressive. In the eight games before, Smith recorded 18 tackles including seven for loss with three sacks. On his career he had 114 including 56 with nine TFLs and 3.5 sacks – all three of which were career-highs – during Georgia’s run to the 2021 National Championship, it’s first in 41 years.

Smith is an outstanding athlete who reminds me a little bit of Haason Reddick when he was coming out of Temple. Smith would get a lot of pass-rush opportunities in Kansas City, thanks to the Patrick Mahomes-led offense. – Jeremiah on pro comparisons for Smith

As was the case with Jeremiah’s two other Georgia projections, the Bulldogs had a player picked in this spot last season. Lewis Cine went with the final pick of the first round to the Vikings after Minnesota traded up to get the star safety.

Jeremiah previously had four players in his first round projection with tight end Darnell Washington in the first round. Both Washington and cornerback Kelee Ringo have received first round projections throughout the draft process from various outlets. Those two, Jeremiah’s three and several other Georgia players including quarterback Stetson Bennett, running back Kenny McIntosh and safety Christopher Smith will work out for scouts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis next week at the NFL Scouting Combine. Players begin to arrive early in the week with on field workouts starting on Thursday.