Georgia Football 2016 NFL Draft Tracker, Analysis and Results

While the Georgia Bulldogs still look to reaffirm their prowess on the field under a new head coach this offseason, fans get to celebrate during this week's draft as potentially over a half-dozen former Bulldogs could be selected to enter the NFL.

With that, let's track the top Bulldog candidates to be drafted in the 2016 NFL draft, as well as who their potential replacements will be at UGA. 

Note: All draft projections are based on Matt Miller's NFL Draft 400 series unless otherwise noted. 

Leonard Floyd, OLB

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Drafted: First round, 9th overall, Chicago Bears

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 244 lbs 

Analysis 

An underclassman who declared for the draft in early January, Leonard Floyd has the makings of an elite edge-rusher at the next level. With a 2.68 20-yard time, Floyd registered 74 tackles while a part of Georgia's 3-4 defensive system. At 244 pounds, Floyd is a tad light for your prototypical linebacker on Sundays, but his speed and raw skill set could more than make up for that. 

The Chicago Bears traded up from No. 11 to No. 9 overall in the first round to select Floyd. Chicago was ranked No. 22 in the NFL in rush defense last year, allowing 1,934 yards. The Bears also had just 32 sacks as a team, which also ranked No. 22 in the league. Floyd should be able to inject some immediate energy into the defensive front in The Windy City. 

Replacement 

According to Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee, Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter are the Bulldogs' projected outside linebackers after this year's spring season. Ultimately, replacing Floyd altogether may be too tall a task. But as an SEC school that consistently produces winning programs, expect the Bulldogs to fill the voids just fine.

Jordan Jenkins, OLB

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Drafted: Third round, 20th pick, New York Jets

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 259 lbs

Analysis

The id to Leonard Floyd's ego, Jordan Jenkins served as the captain of Georgia's defense his senior year and balanced out Floyd's explosiveness on the edge with a solid presence on the opposite edge. Jenkins finished with 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks his senior campaign. Not as quick off the edge and into the backfield as Floyd, Jenkins still has good containment as a strong outside linebacker.

Now Jenkins is headed to NYC where he'll look to make the Jets look smart—for once—with their selection of him. The Jets were 10th in total defense in the NFL last year, but New York's 3-4 defense requires depth at linebacker. An experienced third round pick at that position is just what the Jets could end up needing. 

Replacement

Like Floyd, Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter are the Bulldogs' projected replacements on the edge post-spring ball in 2016. Carter didn't register a single tackle last year, but he had 4.5 as a freshman. How the two will ultimately live up to the reputation Floyd and Jenkins leave behind remains unseen and perhaps will be Georgia's biggest question mark defensively this offseason.

Malcolm Mitchell, WR

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Drafted: Fourth round, 13th pick, New England Patriots

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 198 lbs

Analysis

A torn ACL during Malcolm Mitchell's junior year may be the only thing keeping him out of the draft's first two rounds. A long wideout with lanky arms and terrific hands, he dropped only four passes his last two seasons on 142 targets (per Pro Football Focus, h/t B/R's Matt Miller)—Mitchell could very well be a steal in the draft and could fit in as a solid No. 2 option on an NFL roster.

Now a part of the New England Patriots, Mitchell will get a chance to develop under one of the best systems and best quarterbacks in the NFL. His solid hands are what Tom Brady loves, so Mitchell could turn into a No. 3 or even No. 2 option as his career progresses. 

Replacement

With Mitchell's departure, Terry Godwin becomes the Bulldogs' top target. He finished second in receiving yards on the team last year behind only Mitchell and ended the season as the TaxSlayer Bowl MVP. A versatile, athletic threat who can be utilized both on the edges and in the backfield, Godwin is now the unquestioned star for Georgia.

John Theus, OT

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Projected Pick: Fifth round, 6th pick, San Francisco 49ers. 

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 313 lbs

Analysis

John Theus was one of the anchors along Georgia's front lines for his entire career, starting at right tackle as a true freshman and then moving to the blind side his junior and senior campaigns. He was one of the primary blockers who opened the lanes for the likes of Nick Chubb and Todd Gurley—two of the most touted SEC running backs in recent memory. His pass blocking and his consistency are his biggest downfalls. But he was steady enough to start for four years with the Bulldogs.

Theus will be transitioning to a wildly different system in San Francisco, where the uptempo style will contrast Georgia's pro-style, run-first offense. How Theus fits in remains to be seen, and it seems like on paper his shortcomings would only be exacerbated in Chip Kelly's system. But if Theus can make the roster out of camp, perhaps a few years down the road he'll turn into an everyday starter. 

Replacement

Graduate transfer Tyler Catalina out of Rhode Island is projected to line up at one of the tackle positions for the Bulldogs, per Marc Weiszer of Savannah Now. Where the rest of the line's returnees will be placed has yet to be determined and is certainly a point of emphasis this offseason.

Keith Marshall, RB

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Drafted: Seventh round, 21st pick, Washington Redskins

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 219 lbs

Analysis

It's anybody's guess with Keith Marshall. He ran the fasted 40-yard dash time of anyone at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.31), edging out Notre Dame wideout Will Fuller (4.32) and only 0.07 behind Chris Johnson's famed time.

Still, Marshall took nearly two years to return to full strength after tearing his ACL in 2013. He's certainly not a power runner, and the scheme he fits into will be a big factor in determining how he'll translate to the next level.

The Redskins scooped Marshall up in the seventh round, meaning he'll likely battle for a roster spot. Washington's leading rusher, Alfred Morris, joined the Cowboys this offseason, so Matt Jones is the leading returner with just 490 yards a season ago. Marshall has a chance to potentially earn a living as a return specialist or he could compete for a backup spot with the Redskins. 

Replacement

After suffering a season-ending injury last year, Nick Chubb is expected to be back at full strength for Georgia's 2016 campaign. He'll undoubtedly be one of the country's best anchors in the backfield should he stay healthy. While losing the home run ability Marshall has, Chubb's presence should be more than enough to fill the void.

Quayvon Hicks, FB

John Bazemore/Associated Press

UNDRAFTED

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 259 lbs

Analysis

An injury prior to Georgia's bowl game has kept Quayvon Hicks from performing any offseason workouts for scouts. That means game film alone is the judge and jury for this fullback—a position that in it of itself is a dying breed. Fullbacks are being used far less in the NFL, but they're still valuable commodities in schemes that require quality second-level rush and pass blocking.

Hicks is versatile with a fair amount of athleticism that allows him to be a valuable blocker both downfield and in the pocket. Again, without any secondary analysis this offseason, it's hard to truly gauge Hicks' value.

Replacement 

How much the fullback is utilized in Georgia's new system remains to be seen, but walk-on Christian Payne was named the spring's Outstanding Walk-On, per DawgNation. A fullback's mentality of unselfishness and sacrifice often aligns with that of a walk-on, so perhaps Payne will be an injection of energy into the spot.