New NFL Mock Draft Projections For 3 Georgia Stars
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to an interception during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Despite the disappointing finish to their 2018 season, the Georgia Bulldogs fielded one of the most talented teams in college football last year. The NFL has recognized that and is poised to give huge contracts to at least several of the team's outgoing stars.
Per a new mock draft from NFL analyst Peter Schrager, three Georgia stars are projected to be drafted in the first round next month. Cornerback Deandre Baker, wide receiver Riley Ridley, and edge rusher D'Andre Walker are all poised to hear their names called on the first day.
Baker is projected to be the first Bulldog off the board, going No. 23 to the Houston Texans. In three years as a starter he had seven interceptions, 23 passes defended, and 116 tackles.
Houston's defensive backfield underwent an extreme makeover in the past month. In Baker, the Texas get a confident young man with good size (5-11, 185 pounds), good speed and great ball skills. Baker went up against some of the top receivers in the SEC over the past few seasons and held his own. He'd slide right into one of the cornerback spots in Houston.
Ridley is being mocked to the Green Bay Packers at No. 30 overall. Schrager that the Packers will be doing everything they can to surround star quarterback Aaron Rodgers with talented weapons while they still have a window to make a big run.
The Packers have added a lot on defense in free agency, but again, I look at the head-coaching hire and the desire to put as much around Aaron Rodgers as they possibly can. Ridley is a reliable receiver who, despite not putting up huge numbers at Georgia, runs precise routes and has fantastic hands. The younger brother of the Falcons' Calvin Ridley, Riley could very well be a first-round pick, too.
Finally, Walker is being mocked to the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Schrager noted Belichick's penchant for drafting out of Georgia and believes that Walker can provide just the kind of pass rush he needs to keep the defense dominant.
The Patriots' defense put on a show in Super Bowl LIII, but New England will always keep adding to the depth chart. Walker burst onto the scene during his senior year in Athens, recording 7.5 sacks and flying all over the field in big games. Never underestimate Bill Belichick's love of players who were coached by guys he respects. Kirby Smart is one of them. The Pats took a pair of first-rounders out of Georgia a year ago, and they'll grab another in 2019.
Suffice it to say, head coach Kirby Smart could be a very happy man on Draft Day.
[NFL.com]
