Following his solid NFL scouting combine performance, former Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter has moved into the first round of ESPN analyst Todd McShay's latest mock draft.

Carter is now projected to be the 31st pick overall by the New England Patriots, according to McShay. Prior mock drafts, have predicted Carter going anywhere from the second round to the fifth round.

The Norcross native’s 4.5-second 40-yard dash was the second-best time among edge rushers, while his 36-inch vertical jump ranked third. He also set a combine record for edge rushers in the broad jump as he leaped 10 feet, 10 inches.

“Carter is a versatile linebacker at 6-5, 250 with 34-inch arms -- he can play standing up and even some right defensive end in a 4-3,” McShay wrote. “He plays his tail off on tape, and the Patriots could use his pass-rushing production.”

Fellow linebacker Roquan Smith was the only other former Bulldog projected by McShay to be selected in the first round. Smith is slated at 10th overall to the Oakland Raiders.

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Former Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Norman Arey died Oct. 11, 2025 at the age of 84. In addition to sports writing, Arey also co-wrote the popular "Peach Buzz" society column. (Courtesy of the Arey family)

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Members of the conversion crew take a break as the main scoreboard is lowered to the floor to be worked on as the arena gets ready for the next concert at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Atlanta. The crew was working on creating a stage for the Friday, Oct. 3 Maxwell concert. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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