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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Joe Vitale

Three Georgia players selected in first round of final USA TODAY mock draft

With the NFL draft right around the corner, College Sports Wire has published its final NFL mock draft, predicting the outcome of the first three rounds.

Five former Georgia Bulldogs are projected to be selected in this mock draft, plus cornerback Tyrique Stevenson who transferred to Miami.

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From Jalen Carter to Darnell Washington, here’s the projected landing spot for these six former Georgia Bulldogs in the 2023 NFL draft:

No. 6: DT Jalen Carter to the Detroit Lions

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the run on quarterbacks and one cornerback being drafted in the top five, Georgia defender Jalen Carter falls right to Detroit at No. 6. The Lions can add to their defensive front and help a defense that was among the league’s worst units in 2022.

More Detroit coverage: Lions Wire

No. 13: OT Broderick Jones to the New York Jets

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have a major issue at the offensive tackle spot on their roster. Neither Mehki Becton nor Duane Brown have shown that they can be counted on to play a full season. Jones gives them depth and another option if their tackles go down with another injury.

More New York coverage: Jets Wire

No. 15: OLB Nolan Smith to the Green Bay Packers

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

One of the top defenders for the Bulldogs finds himself in Green Bay with the No. 15 selection. The Packers could use a wide receiver but they haven’t valued the position before day two since Javon Walker was selected in 2002. Smith joins his former teammates Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt.

More Green Bay coverage: Packers Wire

No. 48: TE Darnell Washington to the Lions

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL may have never seen an athlete quite like Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington. He showed a unique combination of size and speed at the 2023 NFL combine, but his athletic profile is not unheard of. The NFL is a league of the best of the best after all.

Washington posted a 10-foot-2 broad jump and a 31-inch vertical jump. The 6-foot-6, 264-pound tight end has the largest ever wingspan at his position in combine history (83.75 inches). Additionally, Washington’s 11-inch hands are the second-largest ever for a tight end at the combine.

Washington ran an impressive 4.64 second 40-yard dash, which is impressive at his size. Gronkowski ran a 4.68 second 40-yard dash at his pro day. Washington’s Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.88 is actually higher than Gronkowski’s RAS of 9.46.

No. 68: CB Kelee Ringo to the Broncos

(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Ringo’s size and athleticism was on full display at the NFL combine and UGA’s pro day. The Tacoma, Wa., native checked in at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds and clocked a blazing 4.36 40-yard dash in Indianapolis.

Natalie Miller of Draft Wire recently evaluated the former Georgia Bulldog as head into the final weeks before the draft.

Miller took a look at Ringo’s strengths, calling him an “unreal athlete” who “excels in man scheme.”

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