Two of Georgia’s Record-Breaking NFL Draft Class Are Showing Their Weight in Gold
When it comes to the NFL Draft, Georgia currently holds one of the biggest accomplishments a college football program could possibly have: holding the record for the most number of players picked in a single year.
In 2022, the team had no fewer than 15 players to be selected in the seven rounds of that year’s draft. It’s the most that have ever been selected, and it’ll take some doing to be broken. Michigan were close in this year’s draft, having 13 players selected, but the year before saw 10 being the most (taken from Georgia and Alabama).
Travon Walker and Jamaree Salyer Have Balled Since Being Selected
Five of the 15 players to have been selected went as first-round picks, including Travon Walker, the #1 overall pick. Taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the linebacker has really established himself as a top NFL player. He hit the quarterback 19 times last season, recording 10 sacks. As per https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WalkTr03.htm, he improved on many of his key metrics significantly.
Jamaree Salyer is another who has been proving his value in the NFL, with the #195 pick turning out to be a hidden gem for the Los Angeles Chargers. He played in 99% of snaps last season, highlighting the trust and value the franchise has placed on him in their setup. Picks like this are among some of the reasons why so many continue to enjoy the NFL Draft. You never know where a talented individual might be taken off the board.
The Rise of the NFL Draft
The draft has become a far bigger spectacle in recent years, especially as fans look to immerse themselves in everything it stands for. As the event moves around to different cities and states with each edition, it has become a major source of entertainment for many during the offseason. Some have even used it as a means of placing sports bets on who could be selected as the #1 pick, who might be Mr. Irrelevant, or which team might look to trade up or down.
The increased interest and appeal that sports betting has received over the last few years has also had a knock-on impact on casinos, as fans continue to seek new ways to enjoy American football activities in alternative ways. There are sites at https://www.bonusfinder.com/online-casinos/real-money/casino-games-that-pay-real-money that allow individuals to play football-themed slots or games that use official NFL franchises as a licensed theme, giving them the chance to enhance and further the passion that they may have for the sport, especially during the off-season.
The NFL Draft is so big that many will already be looking ahead to the 2025 event, which will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, around Lambeau Field. It’ll be interesting to see which Georgia Bulldogs will be selected in that draft, and whether they can be as good as those who were part of the 2022 class.
Why Has the Georgia Draft Class of 2022 Excelled in the NFL?
The 2021 Georgia Bulldogs team was one that many had considered to be the Year of the Dawg. The college program finally managed to end a championship drought that had lasted more than four decades when they defeated Alabama in the national championship game. One of the reasons they managed to secure the 33-18 victory was because of their defensive ability, a unit that https://www.si.com/college/georgia/football/georgia-football-s-historic-draft-class-only-becoming-greater-01j4ha5x3x16 had described as being one of the greatest ever.
It will be interesting to see how the draft picks turn out in the years to come, and whether they can have the same kind of impact on their respective franchises as Walker and Salyer. Tight end Brock Bowers (Raiders) and offensive tackle Amarius Mims (Bengals) might be two to watch this upcoming season.