Georgia Football: 2015 NFL Draft Tracker, Analysis and Results
The 2015 NFL draft should provide the opportunity for plenty of Georgia Bulldogs to realize their dreams in becoming professional football players. As many as nine Bulldogs could be drafted throughout the three-day event.
Without question, the most intriguing Bulldog entering the draft is running back Todd Gurley. There's a real possibility he goes higher than most people are projecting—largely due to his immense upside.
This piece will highlight the Georgia draft hopefuls. Prior to the draft, we will analyze all of the prospects and their respective strengths as football players. We also will discuss predictions on draft positioning.
Once the draft ends, we will update the slides, detailing each player and how he fits in with his future team.
RB Todd Gurley
1 of 8
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 10 to St. Louis
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 222 lbs
Analysis
The team with arguably the best collection of young talent in the NFL adds another intriguing piece in Todd Gurley. This is a very interesting spot for the Georgia back. The Rams do have Tre Mason and Zac Stacy, but neither possess the big-play ability of the aforementioned Gurley. With the depth in the backfield, Gurley won't be expected to come in right away and take the reins of the position. He'll be able to continue to rehabilitate his knee until fully back from injury.
Fortunately for Gurley (and the Rams), his knee checked out well during the medical evaluations. Assuming Gurley reverts back to his form pre-injury, he'll be a big factor going forward for this franchise.
Replacement
Replacement, you say? I'd say Nick Chubb is a safe bet to fill Gurley's role. As a freshman last year, Chubb rushed for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns. An early 2015 Heisman Trophy candidate list will have Chubb's name plastered all over it.
WR Chris Conley
2 of 8
Drafted: Round 3, Pick 76 to Kansas City
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 213 lbs
Analysis
Kansas City receivers did not catch a single touchdown in 2014. Chris Conley is hoping to break that trend as a rookie. The Chiefs' wide receiver corps was not an overly dynamic group. The additions of Conley and Jeremy Maclin should help to change things. While Maclin will be targeted underneath and on screens, Conley will instantly become the top deep-threat for the Chiefs on the perimeter. He fills a huge need for Andy Reid's team.
Replacement
Malcolm Mitchell will likely attempt to pick up the slack at the receiver position. He finished fourth on the team last year with 31 grabs for 248 yards. More than a year has passed since his ACL injury, so Mitchell should be rounding back into form from an athletic standpoint. Also, watch out for incoming freshman Terry Godwin.
LB Ramik Wilson
3 of 8
Drafted: Round 4, Pick 119 to Kansas City Chiefs
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 237 lbs
Analysis
Ramik Wilson will enter a very nice situation with the Kansas City Chiefs. Initially, he figures to impact as a core special teams player. While the Chiefs do have nice depth within their linebacker corps, Wilson will be afforded the chance to be groomed behind veteran Derrick Johnson. There's definite opportunity to see playing time in a reserve role.
Replacement
Reggie Carter looks primed to account for the vacant spot left by Wilson. The junior out of Snellville, Georgia, had 28 tackles in a reserve role a season ago. It will be crucial for Carter to get comfortable making the calls on the field as the new quarterback in the middle of the defense.
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DB Damian Swann
4 of 8
Drafted: Round 5, Pick 167 to New Orleans Saints
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 189 lbs
Analysis
This is a good spot for Damian Swann. The former Georgia Bulldog enters a unit in desperate need of help in the secondary. There's a real chance Swann can help right away and offer good depth at corner for the Saints. At the very least, he'll be an integral player on special teams.
Replacement
Dominick Sanders looks poised to take over as the leader of the secondary for the Bulldogs. The true sophomore is a physical player with a bright future. Malkom Parrish also figures to be in the mix for playing time at corner.
LB Amarlo Herrera
5 of 8
Drafted: Round 6, Pick 207 to Indianapolis Colts
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 244 lbs
Analysis
At this point in the draft, teams often look for special teams players with the ability to provide depth. As a sixth-round pick, Amarlo Herrera brings nice value. He should help the Colts' mediocre run defense with his ability to fly to the ball. Additionally, Herrera should be a good special teams player. The aging linebacker corps in Indianapolis also gives the former Georgia 'backer an opportunity to potentially start in the future.
Replacement
Junior Tim Kimbrough out of Indianapolis appears to be the heir apparent at the position. Kimbrough was regarded as Georgia's most improved player in '14. He'll look to take the next step as a starter and build upon a solid sophomore campaign.
DL Ray Drew
6 of 8
2015 Draft: Not Selected
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 284 lbs
Analysis
After entering college as one of the most hyped prospects in the 2011 class, per Rivals.com, Ray Drew was generally a disappointment. He only registered one sack a season ago and 1.5 tackles for loss. From a positive standpoint, Drew can line up along the defensive line in both 3-4 and 4-3 alignments. This versatility will appeal to teams.
After a sluggish combine in Indianapolis, Drew got in better shape and performed well at the Georgia pro day. The production at Georgia never matched with Drew's natural ability. If the Thomasville, Georgia, native can become more consistent, he could be a steal for a team in the later rounds.
Replacement
Senior Sterling Bailey will slot into the vacant spot left by Drew. Last season, Bailey registered 0.5 sacks and 27 total tackles in limited time. While he doesn't bring a whole lot in the way of production, he's an experienced performer who played in every game a season ago.
C David Andrews
7 of 8
2015 Draft: Not Selected
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 295 lbs
Analysis
David Andrews is a feisty player with impressive technical ability. He was the lynchpin when it came to Georgia's vaunted rushing attack. Athletically, he's adept at getting to the second level when blocking.
Andrews is arguably one of the most mobile center prospects in the entire draft. He's also a good leader, as evidenced by the accolades he accrued throughout his career.
His overall size is the main deterrent when it comes to Andrews' draft positioning. At less than 300 pounds, he'll more than likely have to latch onto a team employing a zone-blocking scheme. The Philadelphia Eagles seem like a nice fit.
Replacement
There are a host of options clamoring for the starting center gig. Isaiah Wynn appears to be the front-runner at this point, with Hunter Long and Brandon Kublanow also in the mix. Much like Andrews, Wynn is undersized (6'2", 278 lbs) but athletic.
QB Hutson Mason
8 of 8
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 212 lbs
Analysis
Picture the prototypical third-string NFL quarterback holding the clipboard on the sidelines. The backup signal-caller is intelligent and responsible, and would play with poise if ever inserted into a contest. This is Hutson Mason in a nutshell.
Mason won't wow anyone with his physical tools. However, he's an accurate passer. He completed passes a season ago at a 67.9 percent clip. Mason can find a place in this league as a reserve signal-caller—in large part due to his mental acuity.
Replacement
The two quarterbacks who are battling for the starting gig are Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta. Ramsey is the more experienced of the two in terms of actual game experience. However, Bauta is more athletic and has a higher upside. It will come down to how well Bauta can develop in the upcoming months.
Note: Draft projections courtesy of Matt Miller's mock draft (unless otherwise noted). Stats come via GeorgiaDogs.com.
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