Tag: solomon kindley

Several Georgia Bulldogs go in seven round NFL Mock Draft

University of Georgia football standouts Jake Fromm, D’Andre Swift, Andrew Thomas, and more find new homes in this CBS NFL mock draft.

The Georgia Bulldogs sent ten players to the 2020 NFL Combine. Will all of them get drafted? Probably not. Regardless, each former University of Georgia standout will get a shot to make an NFL roster.

According to CBS’s seven round NFL mock draft, seven Georgia Bulldogs will be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. Looking at UGA’s recent draft history under head coach Kirby Smart, seven selections in right in line with what Georgia did in 2019’s seven draft picks and 2018’s six picks.

Georgia’s recent NFL Draft success is an uptick from the 2017 NFL Draft, where Isaiah McKenzie was the only Bulldog selected. So where are Georgia’s players projected to go in 2020?

First Round

11th Overall Selection: New York Jets

Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas– Thomas is rated as the 15th overall player in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s ranked behind three other tackles.

Second Round

61st Overall Selection: Tennessee Titans

Offensive Tackle Isaiah Wilson– Wilson has the size to compete with the best in the NFL. He’d be joining one of the elite NFL offensive fronts in Nashville. Georgia great Ben Jones leads the Tennessee line from the center position.

December 8, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum.  Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

63rd Overall Selection: Kansas City Chiefs

Running Back D’Andre Swift– The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs reunite Swift with his former UGA teammate Mecole Hardman. This would be an ideal situation for Swift.

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What position should Bears address in NFL Draft, not free agency?

While quarterback and tight end have dominated the offseason conversation, the Bears need plenty of work on the offensive line.

The Bears have several issues to address this offseason, especially on offense following an abysmal outing in 2019. While quarterback and tight end have dominated the conversation, Chicago needs some work on the offensive line.

While the Bears are ultimately stuck with what they’ve got at tackle for next season in Charles Leno and Bobby Massie, who collectively account for $18.6 million in salary cap space in 2020, they do have a vacant right guard position that needs to be addressed.

Given Chicago’s salary cap situation, Bleacher Report believes the Bears should steer clear of addressing offensive guard in free agency and look to the NFL Draft for a young prospect.

There’s plenty of talk circulating that the Bears intend to add a veteran quarterback to challenge 2017 second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. But no matter who the starting quarterback is in 2020, that signal-caller will have a much better chance of success if the team improves an offensive line that ranked 20th or worse in both run blocking and pass protection last year, according to Football Outsiders.

Adding that veteran under center will eat up most of the team’s $16.6 million in cap space, so the best chance at bettering the line will be on Day 2 in April.

While the Bears could target offensive tackle in what’s a deep draft class, that might ultimately help them nab a top-three guard such as Georgia’s Solomon Kindley or Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg with pick 43.

There was plenty of blame to go around on offense last season, but the offensive line didn’t make it any easier on a struggling Mitchell Trubisky both in run blocking and pass protection.

Given the amount of money invested in the Bears offensive line, the group simply has to be better. That, and they need to find a right guard to replace the retired Kyle Long.

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Comparing Georgia’s 2019 roster to NFL Combine measurements

Does the official Georgia Bulldog roster fib about the size of players?

Several Georgia Bulldogs received their NFL Combine measurements a few weeks ago, but how do those compare to how they’re listed on the 2019 University of Georgia roster? There’s always been the theory that college football teams exaggerate the size of certain players.

It certainly holds true in some cases. For example, the NBA recently cracked down on teams who were listing their players at taller heights.

It must be noted that these players could have gained or lost weight ahead of the 2020 NFL Combine, but for the most part it will tell fan show big and tall UGA players are and if the roster is fibbing.

Quarterback Jake Fromm:

UGA roster: 6’2″, 220 LBS

NFL Combine: 6’1 7/8″, 219 LBS

Running Back D’Andre Swift:

UGA Roster: 5’9″, 215 LBS

NFL Combine: 5’8 1/4″, 212 LBS

Running Back Brian Herrien:

UGA Roster: 6’0″, 210 LBS

NFL Combine: 5’11 1/8″, 209 LBS

Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship:

UGA Roster: 6’1″, 191 LBS

NFL Combine: 6’1″, 190 LBS

Left Tackle Andrew Thomas:

UGA Roster: 6’5″, 320 LBS

NFL Combine: 6’5 1/8″, 315 LBS

Guard Solomon Kindley:

UGA Roster: 6’4″, 335 LBS

NFL Combine: 6’3 1/4″, 337 LBS

Right Tackle Isaiah Wilson:

UGA Roster: 6’7″, 340 LBS

NFL Combine: 6’6 1/2, 350 LBS

Wide Receiver Lawrence Cager:

UGA Roster: 6’5″, 220 LBS

NFL Combine: 6’4 6/8″, 220 LBS

Tight End Charlie Woerner:

UGA Roster: 6’5″, 245 LBS

NFL Combine: 6’4 5/8″, 244 LBS

The verdict? Georgia isn’t significantly fibbing about the size of players. UGA is more likely to be adjusting the heights, but not by more than an inch. The NFL Combine uses more precise height measurements than UGA’s roster.

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Which UGA o-lineman has most to gain this spring?

With so many starting spots available, who will offensive line coach Matt Luke turn to during his inaugural season in Athens?

Following the departure of former offensive line coach Sam Pittman, the new head coach at the University of Arkansas, multiple Bulldogs he recruited to the University of Georgia followed suit.

Tackle Isaiah Wilson, a redshirt sophomore, declared early for the NFL Draft. Fellow tackle and projected first round pick Andrew Thomas did as well following his junior season. Relatively surprisingly, guard Solomon Kindley made the same decision despite qualifying for a redshirt senior season.

Cade Mays, the first Georgia Bulldog since Jonas Jennings to play all five OL positions in red and black, transferred to Tennessee to play with his younger brother in Knoxville for their father’s alma mater.

Center Trey Hill and guard/tackle Ben Cleveland are the only holdovers to start on the Bulldogs’ offensive line. Both players are entering their final season of eligibility.

With so many starting spots available, who will offensive line coach Matt Luke turn to during his inaugural season in Athens?

Xavier Truss:

Assuming Ben Cleveland gets early reps at right tackle (if not right guard), the left tackle spot will be wide open and thus attainable for the redshirt freshman Truss. At six-foot-seven and 330 pounds, he’s got the length and mass necessary to protect right-handed grad transfer QB Jamie Newman’s blindside. Combine that with the motor and footwork necessary to facilitate outside run plays and he may just be the Dawgs’ best fit at LT.

Warren Ericson:

Following injuries and the several aforementioned early NFL Draft declarations, Ericson started at right guard in January’s Sugar Bowl win over Baylor. In 2020, the redshirt sophomore may have to rotate behind seniors Cleveland and Justin Shaffer at either of the guard positions, but can put himself in a good position to secure solid substitute reps before Cleveland and Shaffer exhaust their eligibility. Matt Luke clearly sees something in Ericson.

Warren McClendon:

The younger of the OL’s two Warrens, McClendon shares with Ericson ample opportunity to break into the starting lineup. With both tackle spots ripe for the taking, McClendon can compete with Truss at left tackle, but seems more suited for right tackle as his size. The cousin of former Georgia running back Bryan McClendon saw limited action in 2019 but has the skills and build to impose his will upon SEC defenders in 2020.

Justin Shaffer:

Shaffer has patiently waited his turn to start on the Bulldogs’ offensive line, and an untimely injury extended that timeline. He made his first career start against Tennessee and started every play of the game. In his start against South Carolina, a neck injury sidelined Shaffer for the remainder of the regular season. After having fully recovered from his injury, he’s deserved his time to show out in the trenches for the Dawgs and is expected to be a mainstay on Georgia’s 2020 offensive line.

5 offensive prospects for Jaguars fans to watch at the NFL Scouting Combine

The Jags need help on the offensive side and Tee Higgins will be just one of many players at the combine for fans to watch Thursday.

The offensive prospects will take the field Thursday and Friday for the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. That’s a side of the ball where the Jacksonville Jaguars need a lot of help, so needless to say, fans will be glued to their television sets.

All of that said, here are four prospects with first round grades to watch on the offensive end who could end up being drafted by the Jags come draft day:

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Simply put, despite Dave Caldwell’s comments about liking the Jags’ offensive line, the bottom line is they need upgrades there. It remains to be seen if they will move Cam Robinson from left tackle, but at the least, they need to add a new starter at guard.

Tristan Wirfs has mostly started at right tackle, however, the Jags are unlikely to stop the development of Jawaan Taylor at that spot as he settled down late in the season and flashed. Instead, drafting Wirfs to play right guard might be an option as A.J. Cann hasn’t really developed like most had hoped.

Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Again, it’s unknown if whether the Jags will move Robinson this year, but I’ll give you one reason they should: Andrew Thomas.

Thomas is a massive player at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, and is a strong run blocker and a mountain to get around in pass protection. Draft pundits have concerns about his technique, however, the Jags have an offensive line coach as their head coach in Doug Marrone, who can help Thomas develop over time.

Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

This year’s receivers class is one many feel is the strongest and deepest we’ve seen in some time, which is good for the Jags who need help beside DJ Chark Jr. The second-year receiver exploded in 2020 and became a Pro Bowler but it was clear he needed another receiver to take the pressure off him down the stretch.

Henry Ruggs is a player with speed for days and some believe he’ll run a 4.2 in the 40-yard dash. He’s also a player who would set the league on fire if paired with Chark. With Caldwell being great at drafting receivers, Ruggs definitely could be an option in the first round as the Jags look to build around Gardner Minshew II.

Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

Tee Higgins is another baller from this 2020 receivers class and has great size. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, he’d bring that Allen Robinson-like presence the Jags have missed since the young receiver departed via free agency. He can go up and pluck the ball and is very smooth as a route runner. Those a traits that could take Minshew to the next level.

Higgins said that his goal for the 40-yard dash will be to run in the 4.4s, and if he does, the Jags need to heavily consider him for the No. 20 pick or perhaps making a trade to get him sooner.

Solomon Kindley, OG, Georgia

Jags fans should be well aware of this young man as he is a Jacksonville native. Solomon Kindley was dominant in the trenches for the Bulldogs over the span of the last three years, especially as a run blocker. When looking at his physical style, he reflects what the Jags want in a lineman and he would be just what the doctor ordered for Leonard Fournette between the tackles.

He was one of the players who revealed he’s met with the Jags this week, and clearly their interest should be genuine. It will be interesting to see what he does in the strength related drills because the power is clearly there on tape.

Cam Akers, Solomon Kindley amongst notables who’ve met with Jags at 2020 NFL Combine so far

The Jags have met with several at the combine so far, including Jax native Solomon Kindley and FSU’s Cam Akers.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff has been hard at work this week on their business trip to Indy, home of the NFL Combine. While waiting for the performance drill portion of the annual event, the team has reportedly gotten to interview several familiar players to fans, including DeeJay Dallas, Cam Akers, Solomon Kindley, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire to name a few.

Dallas, 21, played collegiately with the Miami Hurricanes where he accumulated 1,527 career rushing yards, 317 career receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns. He is a player who the Jags are well aware of as he is a native of Brunswick, Ga., a city just 70 miles from Jacksonville and attended Glenn Academy there. He’s also a player who offers physicality as a runner, and according to draft pundits, he could be selected between the fifth and seventh rounds.

Akers, 20, attended college down the road from Jacksonville at Florida State University. While there he accumulated 2,875 career rushing yards, 486 career receiving yards, and 34 total touchdowns. At 5-foot-11, 212 pounds, he brings a mix of size and shiftiness to the table and is projected to be a second or third round pick.

At 6-foot-3, 336 pounds, Kindley was a force for the Georgia Bulldogs in the trenches and would give the Jags a physical run blocker at guard. While at UGA, he started in 32 games and paved lanes for rushers like Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and DeAndre Swift. He also is a Jacksonville native who attended Raines High School and is expected to be a late first round to early second round selection.

Lastly, Edwards-Helaire is a player who attended Louisiana State and is one of many national champions to enter the draft. At 5-foot-8, 209 pounds, he’s a player who will remind fans of Maurice Jones-Drew as he welcomes contact but also showcases breakaway speed on tape. Most draft pundits believe he’ll be selected in the third round.

The Jags will meet with a lot of prospects over the next few months but it’s still worth keeping tabs on their meetings to reflect back on when the selections are made. We’ll continue to monitor who the Jags speak with this week as more reports are sure to come out.

Solomon Kindley has advice for former Georgia football teammates

Georgia football offensive guard Solomon Kindley has advice for his former UGA teammates while at the NFL Combine.

Georgia offensive guard Solomon Kindley is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine.

Viewed anywhere from a first to third round draft pick, Kindley is meeting with teams, undergoing body measurements and eventually will partake in on-field drills.

Related: Solomon Kindley a classic NFL guard

Kindley said he has already met with the Packers and Patriots and has plans to meet with the Falcons and the Chiefs.

Since 2017, he started 10 games at right guard and 26 at left guard. He left Georgia with one year of eligibility remaining, and during an interview at the combine he mentioned that he misses Athens and his teammates back in Georgia.

“I’m not going to lie, I miss my teammates,” Kindley said. “I miss my little brothers. I miss them UGA Dawgs.”

When asked what he missed most about Kirby Smart, Kindley noted that it was Kirby’s drive and constant motivation that he has missed the most.

He also went on to give advice to the younger Bulldogs in Athens.

“Take it all in. Just soak it all up because it feels like I had just got there and now I’m here already. Don’t waste no time. The time is short at Georgia. Everything you do, you gotta pay attention to.”

“Do everything the right way.”

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Busy week for Solomon Kindley, including possible meeting with Falcons

Former Georgia football OT Solomon Kindley says he has meetings with multiple NFL teams, including a potential one with the Atlanta Falcons.

Could the Atlanta Falcons finally snap the streak of refusing to select former Georgia payers in the NFL Draft?

This year could be the year, especially with the high volume of Georgia players in the draft. Is it possible that the Falcons will be left no choice but to draft a former Bulldog?

Solomon Kindley, Georgia’s offensive guard who is viewed as a 1-3 round draft pick, said that he believes he has a formal interview with the Falcons this week.

He also added that he has met with the Packers and Patriots, and also thinks he has a meeting with the Chiefs coming up.

Kindley to the Falcons would excite Georgia fans, and it would surely excite Kindley, who would stay close to home. Kindley grew up in Jacksonville, Florida.

And then there’s the Chiefs, who Kindley also said he believes he has a meeting with this week. Kindley, if taken by Kansas City, would pair up with speedster Mecole Hardman on the Super Bowl champs.

But the possibility that excites me the most is Kindley to the Patriots. The two parties have already met at the NFL Combine, and it’s a known fact that Pats head coach Bill Belichick is a big fan of drafting Dawgs.

If Kindley does wind up in New England, he would join an offensive line that already features two Georgia guys — David Andrews and Isaiah Wynn. Additionally, he would join his fellow Dawgs in blocking for another Georgia boy, running back Sony Michel.

In Indy, Kindley measured in at 6-foot-3 and 1/4 inches tall and weighed in at 337 pounds.

Since 2017, Kindley started 10 games at right guard and 26 at left guard.

Kindley left Georgia with one year of eligibility remaining.

Georgia football’s Andrew Thomas a first round lock

Georgia football’s Andrew Thomas is a first round NFL lock

Georgia football has not seen another guy like Andrew Thomas.

Nov 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) prior to the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

As a true freshman out of Atlanta’s private Pace Academy, Thomas was thrust into the starting lineup early. He started for the Dawgs for three years, and has been a dynamic left tackle for the last two SECCG runs. As a true freshman, he started in the Rose Bowl and national championship game.

After his junior year, Thomas declared for the draft, because he was so widely considered to be pro-ready. Mock drafts have him going in the first round of the NFL draft, as high as top five.

He accompanies offensive classmates D’Andre Swift, Jake Fromm, Isaiah Wilson and Solomon Kindley, as they depart UGA early for the league. They are five of the 10 Georgia players at this year’s NFL combine.

With the losses of Thomas, Wilson, Kindley and transfer Cade Mays to the so-called Great Wall of Georgia, and the departure of great line coach Sam Pittman to be the head coach at Arkansas, new line coach Matt Luke has his hands full in Athens.

The quality talent is there on hand to compete, but losing four starters, and even more so a guy like Andrew Thomas, is a big blow.

Many consider Thomas the best offensive tackle in UGA history.

Solomon Kindley of Georgia a classic NFL guard

Solomon Kindley of Georgia football a classic NFL guard

After getting 12 invitees into the NFL scouting combine in 2018, UGA has 10 guys at this year’s iteration of the scouting combine, three of which were the key cogs in the so-called Great Wall of Georgia.

I’m taking a closer look at each: Solomon Kindley, Isaiah Wilson and Andrew Thomas. First up, Mr. Kindley.

Surprising to many, Kindley actually appeared in the first round of a recent mock draft because of his prototypical NFL guard qualities. Although tackle is the premium line slot, since they protect the quarterback’s blindside and the outside edge, solid guard play is crucial to interior running, a Georgia specialty in the Kirby Smart era.

Nov 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Solomon Kindley (66) and offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) celebrate with fans after a victory against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL guard that always comes to my mind is Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton, a stalwart of their Super Bowl teams. He may not be destined for such lofty greatness, but Kindley has the potential to develop into a strong NFL guard. He was well coached at UGA.

Controlling dominant middle defenders on running plays is one key next level skill set, and another is pass protection. In his time at UGA, Kindley was able to keep guys off of Jake Fromm from up the middle of the pocket. Though, they did have some interior line trouble in the 2017 SEC championship game. Overall, this allowed a not that mobile three-year starter at quarterback, who measured in at just under 6-2, to convert the highest percentage of completions in UGA history.

Kindley started 10 games in 2017 and started throughout 2018, grading out highly as junior. Georgia was a very competitive team as he started.

Like offensive line classmates Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson, he opted early for the NFL, as line coach Sam Pittman also left Athens, to be the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Kindley is fleet enough of foot to pull when called on to do so and plenty big for a guard, though shorter than a tackle. That can actually be an advantage, as modern quarterbacks are not consistently tall. They could still see over him. He will remain inside in the NFL and be a strong addition to a team, if he continues to improve his craft.

When they are good, NFL guards can more easily have long careers than edge blockers, because the sheer speed of upcoming young defenders is less of an issue in there.

Kindley is generally viewed as a third or fourth round pick, at 6-3 and 337 pounds. The guard position is not seen as the highest need for most NFL teams, and college tackles can also be moved inside at times with success.