Georgia football looks to figure prominently in the 2019 NFL Draft after nine Bulldogs took part in the NFL combine in Indianapolis earlier this offseason.
Georgia All-American and Thorpe Award winner Deandre Baker will be in attendance when the first-round selections begin at 8 p.m. Thursday in Nashville, Tenn.
Baker, a lockdown corner who’s solid in run support, has universally been projected to be picked in the first round.
Other Georgia players also have drawn the attention of some analysts as potential first-round picks. Receiver Riley Ridley and outside linebacker D’Andre Walker have both been mentioned as having first-round potential.
Ridley is considered a strong route-runner who has shown a knack for making contested catches.
Walker led Georgia in sacks and was enjoying an MVP-type performance in the SEC Championship Game before going down with a sports hernia in the third quarter with Georgia up 28-21.
Walker recently completed his rehab from Jan. 23 surgery, working out for NFL scouts on April 12 in Athens.
Most believe Ridley, Walker and receiver Mecole Hardman are likely to be selected Friday with other second- and third-round picks.
Hardman, sill relatively new to the receiver position, opened eyes with a 4.33-second time at the NFL combine and has proven himself an elite special teams return man.
The NFL draft concludes on Saturday, with rounds four through seven.
Georgia players Lamont Gaillard, Isaac Nauta, Jonathan Ledbetter, Terry Godwin and Elijah Holyfield are all expected to be drafted.
Receiver Jayson Stanley had an impressive Pro Day workout, running a 4.37-second 40, and might also be selected in the draft. If not, he will surely sign a free agent contact.
Linebacker Natrez Patrick, receiver Ahkil Crumpton and lineman Kendall Baker are also expected to sign as free agents immediately if they don’t hear their names called in the draft.
Georgia had six players, three in the first round, in last year’s draft.
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