What Georgia Bulldog rookies made the biggest impact in the NFL during the 2022 season?
The Georgia Bulldogs dominated the 2022 NFL draft with a record-breaking 15 selections. Most of the 15 Georgia players draft had a large role for their respective NFL teams.
However, some former Georgia standouts stayed on the practice squad and a couple of other players primarily saw special teams snaps in their first year in the league. The NFL is a big adjustment from college for most players. The game is faster and there’s stout competition to get on the field.
Former Georgia Bulldogs like George Pickens, Quay Walker, Jake Camarda, and Jamaree Salyer were all big contributors as rookies.
What Georgia Bulldog rookies made the biggest impact in the NFL during the 2022 season?
Georgia Bulldogs safety Lewis Cine is projected to be a high pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He has been compared to Minnesota Vikings free safety Anthony Harris.
Georgia Bulldogs safety Lewis Cine played an outstanding game in the national championship. Cine rose to the occasion when it mattered the most and was named the defensive player of the game for his seven-tackle performance.
Cine is among the 2022 NFL draft’s top prospects at the safety position. Cine hails from Cedar Hill, Texas, and came to Georgia as a four-star safety prospect. He immediately flashed his potential for the Bulldogs in the 2019 spring game.
Cine uses his speed to get to critical points on the field to disrupt a play or deliver a devastating hit. He has been compared to Philadelphia Eagles safety Anthony Harris ahead of the draft. Who is Anthony Harris and is he a good comparison for Lewis Cine?
Minnesota Vikings free safety Anthony Harris attempts to make an interception against the Detroit Lions. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Harris has spent seven seasons in the NFL. He went undrafted in 2015 after playing college football with Virginia.
Harris began his NFL career as a second-string player but worked his way to a starting role in 2019. Harris has 10 interceptions and 28 pass deflections in his NFL career.
Cine is a decent comparison to Harris. Both are playmakers. Harris and Cine both play in the 6-foot-1, 200-pound range and are solid tacklers. Cine will almost certainly be drafted and should develop quicker than Harris. Cine has the ability to play right away in the NFL. He is projected to be a third-round pick.
Cine plays with a willing aggressiveness that fit right in with Georgia’s talented stop unit. He plays with an urgent, downhill approach, which leads to memorable collisions but he’s not always under control in getting there. He doesn’t have desired mass and stopping power for his style of play, but the work gets done. Cine lacks range and instincts to play over the top and is better suited to split safety and down safety alignments. He can handle man coverage underneath but doesn’t have the hips to swing and sway with talented receivers down the field. Cine has future starting potential as a zero flinch safety, but has limitations for defenses to consider.
From our prospective, Cine’s game may be slightly underestimated due to some rough tape of him in the SEC championship when he was not fully healthy. Cine significantly improved in his junior season and made numerous critical plays on the ball. He finished the year with 10 pass deflections.
Anthony Harris is a respectable comparison for Cine, who would be happy if he has a NFL career akin to Harris.
The New York Giants have cut former standout Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson.
The New York Giants have cut former standout Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson. Wilson was on New York’s practice squad. Wilson, a former first-round pick, is finishing his second season in the NFL.
Wilson played alongside several former Georgia Bulldog teammates in New York including: Lorenzo Carter, Jake Fromm, Azeez Ojulari, Andrew Thomas, and Tae Crowder.
Isaiah Wilson began his career with the Tennessee Titans, but off-the-field issues caused the Titans to trade Wilson to the Miami Dolphins. Later, Miami released Wilson.
Isaiah Wilson still has a lot of talent. He was the No. 29 selection of the 2020 NFL draft, but Wilson must be more consistent if he wants to excel in the NFL.
The Giants signed Isaiah Wilson to their practice squad on Sept. 29. The NFL is allowing larger practice squads this season. New York has issues along their offensive line and a large support system for Wilson, so it made sense to bring in the former first-round pick.
Checking in on Georgia Bulldog rookies like Azeez Ojulari across the NFL. A school-record nine Georgia Bulldogs were drafted in the 2021 NFL draft.
Georgia Bulldog rookies have been making impacts across the NFL. A school-record nine Georgia Bulldogs were drafted in the 2021 NFL draft.
New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari has set the franchise rookie record for sacks in a season after slipping in the NFL draft. Undrafted rookie Malik Herring, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, is out for the season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
How have UGA rookies performed this season? Let’s take a look.
Former standout Georgia Bulldog offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson is getting another NFL opportunity with the New York Giants.
Former standout Georgia Bulldog offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson is getting another NFL opportunity with the New York Giants. Wilson, a former first-round pick, is entering his second season in the NFL.
Isaiah Wilson began his career with the Tennessee Titans, but off-the-field issues caused the Titans to trade Wilson to the Miami Dolphins. Later, Miami released Wilson.
Now, Wilson will look to lean on former Georgia Bulldog teammates in New York. Wilson should have a significant support system with the Giants, who have four of Wilson’s former UGA teammates: Lorenzo Carter, Azeez Ojulari, Andrew Thomas, and Tae Crowder.
Isaiah Wilson still has a lot of talent. He was the No. 29 selection of the 2020 NFL draft, but Wilson must balance his life better like he did at Georgia.
The Giants signed Isaiah Wilson to their practice squad on Sept. 29. The NFL is allowing larger practice squads in 2021 and New York has issues along their offensive line, so it makes sense to bring in Wilson.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news:
Comeback? Ex-#Titans 1st-round OT Isaiah Wilson is back in the NFL, signing a practice squad deal with the #Giants, sources tell me & @TomPelissero. A high-end talent who battled off-the-field issues that led to a trade from TEN & release from #Dolphins, he gets another chance.
Former Georgia Bulldogs running backs are off to a solid start to begin the 2021 NFL season.
Former Georgia Bulldogs running backs are off to a solid start to begin the 2021 NFL season. Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and D’Andre Swift are the former UGA running backs in the NFL.
Former Georgia star Todd Gurley remains a free agent at the moment.
Nick Chubb and D’Andre Swift found the end zone for their respective teams in week one.
Former Georgia Bulldogs and Washington Huskies quarterback Jacob Eason may be in for a larger role this season with the Indianapolis Colts. Eason is starting with the first-team offense following Carson Wentz’s foot injury.
Wentz, who is looking to avoid surgery, is resting and rehabbing his foot at the moment. The Colts received Carson Wentz in a blockbuster trade from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. The Indianapolis Colts started Philip Rivers last season, but he retired following their playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Carson Wentz was projected to start for the Colts. Now, the Colts are looking to find a suitable replacement if his rehab does not go well.
Jacob Eason has experience as a starting quarterback in college with Georgia in 2016 and with Washington in 2019. Eason has a powerful arm, but sometimes makes questionable decisions. He does not have much NFL experience.
Eason has the talent to start in the NFL. Will he be ready if Carson Wentz is out?
Fortunately for the Colts, Eason will have much of training camp and the preseason to prepare and get reps. Brett Hundley, Sam Ehlinger and Jalen Morton are Indianapolis’s other options at quarterback. Hundley has the most NFL experience.
Update: Carson Wentz elected to undergo foot surgery, which is expected to sideline him through anywhere between Indianapolis’s regular season opener and Oct. 25 (week seven of NFL season).
That was fast. #Colts QB Carson Wentz will have surgery to repair his foot, per coach Frank Reich. He’s out up to 12 weeks, but could be much less. They will remove a bone in his foot.
The New England Patriots have re-signed center David Andrews to a team-friendly contract.
The New England Patriots re-signed center David Andrews to a team-friendly contract. Andrews, a former undrafted player out of the University of Georgia, agreed to a four-year, $19 million deal with $6.5 million guaranteed and additional incentives.
The New England Patriots have spent a lot of money in NFL free agency this offseason, but they’re saving money when compared with the market for David Andrews.
According to Spotrac, Andrews will be the NFL’s 17th highest paid center in 2021. Andrews is more than worth the money he will be paid. The former Georgia star has won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.
Andrews chose to stay in New England over the Miami Dolphins, who were his other top suitor. If New England’s offensive line can remain healthy, it will once again be the Patriots’ strength on offense in 2021.
New England has added targets, such as tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry to help quarterback Cam Newton. The Patriots should be improved in 2021, especially on offense.
The #Patriots signed center David Andrews to a four-year, $19 million deal that includes $6.5M fully guaranteed. More available in play-time incentives. Andrews wanted to be back in New England and, as @KimJonesSports said the other day, the contract reflects that.
The New England Patriots are signing center David Andrews, a former Georgia Bulldog, to a lengthy contract.
The New England Patriots are continuing their NFL free agency spending spree and are re-signing center David Andrews, a former Georgia Bulldog. Andrews is 28 years old and has played for New England since 2015.
Bill Belichick and the Patriots are reloading their roster. With the return of David Andrews, New England should have a formidable offensive front next season. Andrews went undrafted, but has gone on to win a pair of Super Bowls for the Patriots. Andrews has started 69 career games in his NFL career.
The former Georgia star has served as team captain in New England and is one of the leaders on the team. Andrews’ contract is a four-year deal. Andrews re-signed with New England over the Miami Dolphins.
David Andrews missed the 2019 season with blood clots in his lungs after winning a Super Bowl in New England during the previous year. Andrews helps New England’s offensive line stay cohesive as a unit, so his return will be huge for a Patriots team that has been aggressive in NFL free agency.
The Patriots and C David Andrews are finalizing a deal for him to return to New England, per sources.
Andrews is a longtime team captain and is one of the most respected players on the entire roster.
Former Georgia Bulldogs receiver Mecole Hardman will look to win a second Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in his second NFL season.
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman will have a chance to win a second Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in his second NFL season. The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to become the first NFL team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since Tom Brady and the 2003-2004 New England Patriots.
If Hardman can win another Super Bowl, then his Chiefs’ rookie class (2019) will be the first rookie class since the 2003 New England Patriots’ rookie class to open their careers with consecutive Super Bowl titles (with the team that drafted them).
Mecole Hardman and fellow teammates like practice squad defensive tackle Tyler Clark and injured defensive back DeAndre Baker are the three Georgia Bulldogs who could all earn Super Bowl rings this year.
Watch this hype video of Mecole Hardman ahead of Super Bowl LV:
The CEO of Speed, @MecoleHardman4, heads to the Super Bowl (again❗) ✈️
Mecole Hardman played well for the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills after he muffed a punt. The speedster out of the University of Georgia could make a game-changing explosive play in the Super Bowl.
Hardman is expected play a key role in the Super Bowl as the Chiefs’ No. 3 receiver. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill will draw attention from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense and as a result Mecole Hardman should receive a lot of one-on-one coverage. Kelce and Hill have been unstoppable in the NFL Playoffs, so slowing them down is easier said than done.
Tom Brady and the Bucs should provide elite competition for the Chiefs, who are 16-1 when their starters play this season. Tampa Bay has no former Georgia Bulldogs on their roster for the big game. Tampa Bay is the first team to host a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
