Georgia Football: The 5 Best Current NFL Bulldogs

With Orson Charles leaving UGA to enter the NFL, the Bulldogs will lose another great talent that will likely play in the big leagues for many years.

If he continues to work hard and remain focused, he will be another great NFL player to come out of Athens.

Over the years, many players from Athens have achieved success in the NFL, and for a good amount of former Bulldogs playing in the pros right now, the success won't change anytime soon.

Here's a list of the five best current NFL players that went to UGA.

No. 5: A.J. Green

Many fans were not happy to see A.J. Green head to the NFL after his junior season, but they knew it was the right decision because he was projected to be a top 10 pick in the 2011 NFL craft.

Green was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the No. 4 overall pick and made a huge impact for the Bengals right out of the gate.

Green finished the season with 65 receptions, 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. Green helped the Bengals reached the playoffs and was also selected to the Pro Bowl. Green is the first Bengals rookie wide receiver to reach the Pro Bowl since Chris Collinsworth did it in 1981.

No. 4: Charles Jonhnson

Charles Johnson was a Second-team All-SEC selection in 2006 and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2007 NFL craft.

He did not become a full-time starter until 2010, as he had a breakout season with 11.5 sacks and 62 tackles.

He had another solid year in 2011 with nine sacks and 40 tackles.

After three seasons of playing sparingly for the Panthers, Johnson has become one of the better defensive ends in the NFL, and his stock is only rising.

No. 3: Matthew Stafford

When Matthew Stafford was at Georgia, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. Said that he was going to be the No. 1 pick when he leave college for the pro game.

Kiper was right because in 2009, Stafford was selected by the No. 1 overall pick.

But it wasn't until last year that Stafford made a name for himself. Not only did Stafford throw for over 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns, he led the Lions to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. 

Stafford's game was built for the NFL, and if he stays healthy, he will have a great career.

No. 2: Hines Ward

Because of his versatility, many fans knew Hines Ward would make a very good NFL player.

Well, they were wrong because Ward has turned out to be a great NFL player, even if he only had 381 receiving yards which is his lowest total since his rookie year in 1998.

Ward has turned out to be one of the best players in Pittsburgh Steelers history. He has been to the Pro Bowl four times, has been a three-time All-Pro selection and has helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls.

He is also the eighth player in NFL history to have 1,000 career receptions. Can we say Hall of Fame?

No. 1 Champ Bailey

Champ Bailey was a dangerous player for the Bulldogs back in the late 1990's as he was named All-SEC and All-American for making plays on offense, defense and special teams.

Bailey's game translated into the NFL with ease because some consider Bailey as one of the greatest cornerbacks to play the game.

Bailey is an 11-time Pro Bowler, named to the All-Pro team six times and made the All-Decade team (2000).

The Pro Football Hall of Fame committee can't wait to see Bailey retire because it knows he will have a huge crowd when he gets into the prestigious group.