ESPN's Todd McShay: Four Bulldogs Poised to go in 2023 NFL Draft First Round
DON’T MISS OUT: Get our insider newsletter today!
ATHENS - Kirby Smart and the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs are headed to Kentucky this weekend, but they could have another banner NFL Draft this spring.
Four Georgia Bulldogs are among the top 32 prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft according to ESPN’s Todd McShay. In an article released on Thursday McShay lays out why Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo, Nolan Smith and Broderick Jones are among the top players to watch this spring.
Jalen Carter “has every tool in the box”
Carter has battled injuries this season but has made a big impact since returning from a knee injury. He fires off the ball with a quick first step, and he shows very good torso flexibility and excellent strength to advance his rush while engaged. He has every tool in the box necessary to emerge as a top-tier NFL pass-rusher early in his career, even if the sack totals aren't there yet (two this year and three in 2021). He's highly adept at working the edges of offensive linemen and is very efficient with his hands and angles. Against the run, he's active and disciplined, and he rarely gets stalemated in one-on-one situations. He has been limited to 126 snaps this season and has 22 tackles, nine pressures, three run stops and a forced fumble.
Kelee Ringo “has outstanding top-end speed”
A former track sprinter in high school, Ringo has outstanding top-end speed. He has an excellent catch radius and the elite length to bat down passes when reaching around receivers. But his route recognition and eye discipline are still works in progress, and while he shows flashes of reading receivers' routes in man-to-man, he looks lost too often in zone. In run support, Ringo has ideal size and length to keep blockers off his frame and to lasso ball carriers in space. He has 25 tackles, one interception and a pair of pass breakups on the year.
* Exclusive Event: UGA DB Kelee Ringo Autograph Signing *
Ticket-holders to this exclusive event receive a photo with Ringo; Ringo's signature (which may include one personal inscription per item) on any (3) items; (1) copy of Dawgstruction.
Sunday, November 20, 2022 || @ Red Zone in Athens
Nolan Smith “has obvious upside but is very raw”
Smith is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, finishing with three sacks, seven tackles for loss and 16 pressures in eight games. As a pass-rusher, Smith has obvious upside but is very raw. He has an effective outside-in move and is able to occasionally get offensive tackles off-balance with effective stop-start moves. He has very good closing burst to the quarterback, quick hands and some snap, too, but he frequently lacks a plan and simply tries to win with speed. He also lacks the strength to threaten with power, which allows offensive tackles to overcompensate to deal with his speed. Smith is a menacing run defender, though. He explodes off the snap and creates a lot of havoc with how quickly he penetrates the backfield.
Broderick Jones “has no trouble with pure speed off the edge”
Jones came into the season with just four career starts, but he has started nine times at left tackle for the Bulldogs this season, allowing zero sacks and only two pressures. He has quick feet, mirrors and slides with ease and has no trouble with pure speed off the edge. Jones shows explosive upper-body power when he lands his punch, but he needs to improve hand placement, not let his pads rise too high and increase lower-body strength. As a run-blocker, he fires out quickly and has a lot of snap in his initial contact, frequently knocking defensive linemen back with power, and he shows very good range as a second-level blocker. There will be questions about whether Jones projects better as a guard in the NFL.
The Georgia Bulldogs WIN the 2021 NATIONAL TITLE!
Check out DAWGSTRUCTION NOW!