Mock Draft Roundup: Georgia draft prospects making moves post-Combine

The NFL Combine is complete, and with that, the draft is starting to shape up interestingly. Teams have a better evaluation of all the players together, and rumors are starting to swirl about what moves might be made to draft up or drop down. Free agency and how things play out there also has an impact. All that being the case, we take a look at where Georgia players are landing in the latest mock drafts.

Charles Davis (3/6/24): There seems to be a general consensus out there that Brock Bowers will be the first Georgia player off the board come April, but Davis is going a different direction. Instead, he’s got Amarius Mims going before Bowers with the star tight end struggling to find a home because of how hard it is to pinpoint the value at his position. Results: Amarius Mims (No. 20 – Pittsburgh Steelers), Brock Bowers (No. 21 – Miami Dolphins)

On Mims: Yes, there is a lack of game experience (just eight starts in college), but the upside is massive. Mims will complete an all-Georgia Bulldog set of bookend tackles with last year’s tremendous rookie, Broderick Jones. I expect Steelers brass to consider center Jackson Powers-Johnson here, too.

On Bowers: This feels way too low for the best tight end in the draft — maybe even the best tight end prospect in the last decade — but HC Mike McDaniel thanks his lucky stars, and immediately injects Bowers into the lineup. The Miami “Track Club” gets another explosive playmaker.

Lance Zierlein (3/4/24): Zierlein has some projected trades in his mock draft, and that might be something that benefits a player like Bowers. No team “needs” a tight end like him, but every team will want one of the best available regardless of position. He too has Bowers and Mims but flips the order of the two. Results: Brock Bowers (No. 15 – Indianapolis Colts), Amarius Mims (No. 24 – Dallas Cowboys)

On Bowers: Bowers didn’t work out at the combine, so there won’t be much new buzz about him, but he’s highly regarded in team circles. In fact, there is a belief within those circles that he’ll be gone before this spot. In my mock, though, he’s still available — so, you’re welcome, Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen.

On Mims: Mims is a mountain of a man with elite traits and an enormous ceiling of potential. He never played left tackle at Georgia, so he’d likely plug in at RT in Dallas, with Tyler Smith bouncing out to the blind side.

Jordan Reid (3/5/24): Reid goes two rounds in his projections, and that brings some extra Bulldogs into play. He too has trades included with Bowers actually being the beneficiary of one before being paired with another Georgia rookie in the second round. Results: Brock Bowers (No. 9 – Los Angeles Chargers), Amarius Mims (No. 20 – Pittsburgh Steelers), Kamari Lassiter (No. 37 – Los Angeles Chargers), Ladd McConkey (No. 38 – Tennessee Titans)

On Bowers: After trading back with the Bears in this scenario to gain more draft capital, the Chargers remain in the top 10 and have a chance to land a versatile offensive playmaker in Bowers. This roster needs a influx of young talent on offense, with receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams struggling to stay on the field and tight end Gerald Everett and running back Austin Ekeler both hitting free agency. Bowers would give Justin Herbert a top-tier receiving option. He’s a mismatch all over the field with great run-after-catch ability, and he could be a real focal point of the L.A. offense going forward.

On Mims: The Steelers got rookie-season success from Broderick Jones in 2023, and I could see them going back to the Georgia OT well again. I love Mims’ upside, and he measured 6-8 and 340 pounds at the combine. Ability isn’t the question with Mims — it’s the durability component that might hurt his draft stock. Mims had only eight career starts and 774 snaps over three seasons. But with solid lower-body movement traits, Mims can match and mirror edge rushers. Drafting him would allow Pittsburgh to move Jones back to his natural spot at left tackle, and the protection for Kenny Pickett or whomever is playing QB should improve.

On Lassiter: Lassiter displays good coverage skills, physicality and some of the best tackling among this class’ cornerbacks. With Michael Davis hitting free agency and one of the tighter cap situations leaguewide, the Chargers likely have to address the secondary at the draft.

On McConkey: GM Ran Carthon has to focus on finding more targets for Will Levis on the perimeter, and McConkey is an outstanding route runner who simply knows how to generate separation and get open.

Dane Brugler (3/5/24): Brugler also goes a little bit deeper into his predictions with three Georgia players going in the first round. It would mark the second straight year that UGA hits that number and the third straight year with multiple Bulldogs off the board on night one. Results: Brock Bowers (No. 12 – Denver Broncos), Amarius Mims (No. 16 – Pittsburgh Steelers), Ladd McConkey (No. 30 – Carolina Panthers)

On Bowers: Talking with team sources at the combine about Bowers, they were effusive in their praise for the Georgia tight end — but all agreed his landing spot in the first round was tough to peg. One scout suggested the Broncos as a dark-horse possibility, which makes sense with Denver wanting to add more impact players on offense.

On Mims: Déjà vu here with the Steelers trading up in Round 1 for a Georgia offensive tackle. (Pittsburgh moved from No. 17 to No. 14 to select Broderick Jones last year). At 6-8, 340, Mims is the most fascinating player in the draft, because of his special traits. The body of work (eight starts) might not be there, but if he had a deeper resume, a team like the Steelers wouldn’t have a shot to get him this late.

On McConkey: The Panthers have to get better on the offensive line, but they also have to add weapons who can get open and give Bryce Young a target. McConkey, who can play both inside and outside, is arguably the best in this draft class at creating space with his crisp route running and electric speed/quickness. In this scenario, Carolina doesn’t let the Chiefs snatch up McConkey. First-year general manager Dan Morgan moves up and gets his guy.

Misc. Mocks

Gordon McGuinness (3/4/34): Brock Bowers (No. 9 – Chicago Bears), Amarius Mims (No. 31 – San Francisco 49ers), Ladd McConkey (No. 32 – Kansas City Chiefs)

Charles McDonald/Nate Trice (3/6/24): Amarius Mims (No. 10 – New York Jets), Brock Bowers (No. 15 – Indianapolis Colts), Kamari Lassiter (No. 27 – Arizona Cardinals)

Chris Trapasso (3/6/24): Brock Bowers (No. 14 – New Orleans Saints), Amarius Mims (No. 30 – Baltimore Ravens)

Nate Davis (3/4/34): Brock Bowers (No. 10 – New York Jets), Amarius Mims (No. 30 – Baltimore Ravens)

Bleacher Report (3/5/24): Brock Bowers (No. 15 – Indianapolis Colts), Amarius Mims (No. 24 – Dallas Cowboys), Ladd McConkey (No. 48 – Jacksonville Jaguars), Javon Bullard (No. 53 – Philadelphia Eagles), Kamari Lassiter (No. 58 – Green Bay Packers), Sedrick Van Pran (No. 96 – Jacksonville Jaguars)