Todd McShay releases final predictions, rankings for Georgia players
Todd McShay released his final mock draft on the morning of the 2023 NFL Draft’s first round on Thursday. Just as his ESPN partner Mel Kiper Jr, McShay came to the conclusion that three Georgia Bulldogs should be coming off the board tonight.
With his final predictions, McShay has back to back Bulldogs are No. 9 and No. 10 with Jalen Carter going to the Chicago Bears and Nolan Smith to the Philadelphia Eagles. Then, with the 15th overall pick, McShay believes that the New York Jets beef up their offensive line for new quarterback Aaron Rodgers with Broderick Jones coming their way.
I mentioned this on Monday in my buzz file, but I think the Bears at No. 9 is the floor for Carter. Imagine moving back from No. 1 to No. 9 and adding a package of picks and a new WR1 in DJ Moore, and then still somehow getting arguably the top prospect in the entire class? What a huge win this would be for GM Ryan Poles. Yes, there are off-field concerns with Carter, as he just pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in connection with a fatal January crash. But I believe he’s going in the top 10, and he has every necessary tool to quickly become a star interior pass-rusher in the NFL while also plugging gaps against the run. Coach Matt Eberflus’ defense relies on the 3-technique position, and Carter’s potential there is very high.
McShay on Carter
McShay also released his final rankings, grading more than the actual number of players that will be picked. With 350 prospects receiving a grade and only 259 names getting called over the course of the draft, almost 100 of these – if not more – will go undrafted and sign with teams as free agents in the aftermath of the seventh round.
As you might expect based on his mock draft, Carter is the top player coming out of Georgia according to McShay. At No. 6 overall, he’s followed by Jones at No. 13 and Smith at No. 16.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
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- 4
Bryce Underwood
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- 5Trending
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Darnell Washington is next up among Georgia players at No. 39. He’s the fourth tight end in what is being touted as one of the top groups for that position in draft history. Both he and Kelee Ringo (No. 50) are expected to still be available in the second round, but it wouldn’t come as too big of a surprise if either were to be taken tonight.
Washington does a good job of fighting through press coverage and can locate soft spots in zone. He flashes the ability to make special catches in traffic and has huge hands to rip the ball away from defenders. Washington also has above-average speed for his size and the length to win down the seams on 50-50 balls. He also will generate yards after the catch with his ability to break tackles and drag defenders for extra yards. As a blocker, he has a massive frame, long arms and huge hands to latch onto defenders and steer them.
McShay on Washington
In total, 11 Georgia players received a draft grade from McShay. None of the others have a grade higher than 60 with Christopher Smith next highest on McShay’s best-available rankings at No. 146 overall. Warren McClendon (No. 161) also finds his name in the top-200 while Kenny McIntosh (No. 209), Robert Beal (No. 214) and Stetson Bennett (No. 237) are within the range of players that should be expected to be picked over the course of the three-day event. Wide receiver Kearis Jackson received the lowest grade from McShay of the Georgia players coming in at No. 340 overall while Jack Podlesny and Warren Ericson went without a grade from McShay.
