theProf's first mock draft of the year

[theProf]

This is primarily a fun draft for Dawg fans. However, the Bulldogs appear to have a good many players that will be drafted by NFL teams this year in various rounds. I don't know why the Falcons have been reluctant to draft UGA players, when a team like the Patriots often draft Bulldogs, and quite successfully I might add.  I can't even recall a UGA player drafted under Dan Quinn. Perhaps Kirby Smart's recruitment and coaching will begin to lure the Falcons front office to start drafting some Georgia Bulldog players. 

In the following Georgia Bulldog-only Falcons mock draft, I have used nfl.com/prospects as the source of specific grades and NFL comparisons:

1. Deandre Baker  CB  5.94 rating,  compares to Assante Samual.   Falcons need a good #3 CB, and Baker is one of the highest rated CBs in this draft. Baker could even challenge Oliver for the #2 outside CB. I think Atlanta could even  trade-down several spots and still get Baker, and then use the pick obtained to trade-up later in the draft for either Ridley or Hardman. 

2. D'Andre Walker  EDGE  5.84, compares to Dee Ford.  Falcons need another EDGE pass-rushing specialist, and Walker has been getting better and better at pressuring the QB.

3. Riley Ridley  WR  5.81, compares to James Jones.  Ridley will be a good possession WR. He would take Justin Hardy's WR#4 roster spot this year, and eventually Sanu's spot next year.  Plus, the Falcons brotherhood would then be composed of a couple of true blood-brothers.

4a. Mecole Hardman  Returner/WR  5.73, compares to Tyler Lockett.  Hardman takes Barner's roster spot as Returner. Hardman is an extremely fast deep threat downfield, but could also be used in screens and quick short passes similar to how Taylor Gabriel was previously used. 

4b. Lamont Gaillard  OC/OG  5.56, compares to Brian de la Puenta.  Falcons do not have a true back-up Center to Mack. Gaillard can not only back-up Center, but also both Guards. Very smart with a nasty streak. Possible starting Center for Mack later.

5a. Isaac Nauta  TE  5.5, compares to Lance Kendricks. Primarily a receiving TE, and would take Saubert's roster spot. 

5b. Elijah Holyfield  RB  5.4, compares to Mark Ingram. Falcons need a power back to pick up short yardage.  The Falcons also might be featuring more power-rushing football in general with the bigger Offensive Linemen that they have been signing in Free Agency. Holyfield is quick, strong, and powerful. Some people may be down on him due to a slow 40-yard dash time, but he plays much  faster than his 40 time indicates.

6.  Jonathon Ledbetter Base DE, 5.27, compares to Jerimiah Ledbetter.  Might possibly replace Steven Means  as a base DE on running downs.  Ledbetter is about 20 pounds bigger than Means, and is a DE/DT tweener. 

7.  Natrez Patrick LB, not rated by nfl.com.  Big inside LB at almost 240 pounds to possibly take the  roster spot of Bruce Carter. Being much younger than Carter, Patrick would probably be better on special teams.

 

By the way, all of the above players were at the Falcons local pro-day workout.   Also, nfl.com grades between 5.5 and 5.99 indicate a good chance to become possible starters, according to its website.   I hope that the Falcons will at least draft a couple of the above UGA players this year; it would make my heart very glad.

 

[quotemokc]

We are not in a position to take two WR's in the first 4 rounds.

I would rather go DT/OT in the first and go with:

Round 3: Riley Ridley

Round 4: Mark Fields

OR

Round 3: Isaiah Johnson

Round 4: Mecole Hardman

I would lean toward the first scenario.

[Diesel_Bird]

Haha, I love it. I actually wouldn’t mind the first two 

[SoCalFalconFan]

4a. Mecole Hardman  Returner/WR  5.73, compares to Tyler Lockett.  Hardman takes Barner's roster spot as Returner. Hardman is an extremely fast deep threat downfield, but could also be used in screens and quick short passes similar to how Taylor Gabriel was previously used. 

Interesting pick. I guess I've been thinking Barner is our answer at KR/PR, but it can't hurt to have a young return specialist. 

[FalconsIn2012]

1 hour ago, theProf said:

This is primarily a fun draft for Dawg fans. However, the Bulldogs appear to have a good many players that will be drafted by NFL teams this year in various rounds. I don't know why the Falcons have been reluctant to draft UGA players, when a team like the Patriots often draft Bulldogs, and quite successfully I might add.  I can't even recall a UGA player drafted under Dan Quinn. Perhaps Kirby Smart's recruitment and coaching will begin to lure the Falcons front office to start drafting some Georgia Bulldog players. 

In the following Georgia Bulldog-only Falcons mock draft, I have used nfl.com/prospects as the source of specific grades and NFL comparisons:

1. Deandre Baker  CB  5.94 rating,  compares to Assante Samual.   Falcons need a good #3 CB, and Baker is one of the highest rated CBs in this draft. Baker could even challenge Oliver for the #2 outside CB. I think Atlanta could even  trade-down several spots and still get Baker, and then use the pick obtained to trade-up later in the draft for either Ridley or Hardman. 

2. D'Andre Walker  EDGE  5.84, compares to Dee Ford.  Falcons need another EDGE pass-rushing specialist, and Walker has been getting better and better at pressuring the QB.

3. Riley Ridley  WR  5.81, compares to James Jones.  Ridley will be a good possession WR. He would take Justin Hardy's WR#4 roster spot this year, and eventually Sanu's spot next year.  Plus the Falcons brotherhood, would then be composed of a couple of true blood-brothers.

4a. Mecole Hardman  Returner/WR  5.73, compares to Tyler Lockett.  Hardman takes Barner's roster spot as Returner. Hardman is an extremely fast deep threat downfield, but could also be used in screens and quick short passes similar to how Taylor Gabriel was previously used. 

4b. Lamont Gaillard  OC/OG  5.56, compares to Brian de la Puenta.  Falcons do not have a true back-up Center to Mack. Gaillard can not only back-up Center, but also both Guards. Very smart with a nasty streak. Possible starting Center for Mack later.

5a. Isaac Nauta  TE  5.5, compares to Lance Kendricks. Primarily a receiving TE, and would take Saubert's roster spot. 

5b. Elijah Holyfield  RB  5.4, compares to Mark Ingram. Falcons need a power back to pick up short yardage.  The Falcons also might be featuring more power-rushing football in general with the bigger Offensive Linemen that they have been signing in Free Agency. Holyfield is quick, strong, and powerful. Some people may be down on him due to a slow 40-yard dash time, but he plays much  faster than his 40 time indicates.

6.  Jonathon Ledbetter Base DE, 5.27, compares to Jerimiah Ledbetter.  Might possibly replace Steven Means  as a base DE on running downs.  Ledbetter is about 20 pounds bigger than Means, and is a DE/DT tweener. 

7.  Natrez Patrick LB, not rated by nfl.com.  Big inside LB at almost 240 pounds to possibly take the  roster spot of Bruce Carter. Being much younger than Carter, Patrick would probably be better on special teams.

 

By the way, all of the above players were at the Falcons local pro-day workout.   Also, nfl.com grades between 5.5 and 5.99 indicate a good chance to become possible starters, according to its website.   I hope that the Falcons will at least draft a couple of the above UGA players this year; it would make my heart very glad.

 

I mean, if you’re forced to pick from only one team, UGA & Clemson are about as good as it gets this draft cycle.  Bama as well

This draft fills a bunch of needs despite having to draft a few players a tad early.  Walker, Baker, Holyfield, Ridley & Gaillard would all be solid contributors within 2 years. 

And Ledbetter is seriously undervalued IMO.  He wrecked BAMA’s OL

And make room for this guy as an UDFA.  Another underutilized weapon.  Great hands and speed

 

[theProf]

25 minutes ago, SoCalFalconFan said:

4a. Mecole Hardman  Returner/WR  5.73, compares to Tyler Lockett.  Hardman takes Barner's roster spot as Returner. Hardman is an extremely fast deep threat downfield, but could also be used in screens and quick short passes similar to how Taylor Gabriel was previously used. 

Interesting pick. I guess I've been thinking Barner is our answer at KR/PR, but it can't hurt to have a young return specialist. 

Hardman is one of my favorite players in this draft, and I think that he would add tremendously to the Falcons if they would draft him. His 4.33 40-yard speed has the draft analyst at nfl.com comparing him not only to Tyler Lockett, but also to Tyreek Hill as follows:

"Overview

Raw but explosive with burst to uncover underneath and a second gear to threaten over the top. Hardman is a relative newcomer to the position and it shows up at times in routes and his struggles competing for the ball in traffic. Hardman could develop into a lesser version of Tyreek Hill with his playmaking potential after the catch, on deep balls and as a returner. Speed kills in today's game and Hardman's could be coveted on Day 2 (Rounds 2-3)."

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/mecole-hardman?id=32194841-5206-9520-9e70-d5597391d8c0

[PriMeTiiMe]

If we took 3 skill position players in the top 4 rounds with 2 of them being CBs I just might stop watching the Falcons.

We need O-line and D-Line. Not to mention LB and Safeties. CB does not bother me much but Baker at 14 is a huge reach.

[Gold4425]

In the past TD has been reluctant to draft DAWG players. Hopefully he'll change that stance this year  Also while we are talking Georgia I like a few Georgia kids for late 6-7th draft picks or UFDA = Georgia Tech DE/LB , ST. ARMOUR - This kid is way better than people give him credit for. Gets after it on pass rushing. Playing at GT under that offense hurt him but he will be a steal!

Penny Hart WR Georgia State he can stretch the field, exciting

Kennesaw State has a WR that can play too

I agree with you Natrez Patrick didn't have a good year last year but he has been a player. He has some dawgg in him. 6:4-240 he is definitely worth a look late round.

[FAN_O_THE_ATL]

I like alot of those players...particularly Baker if he is available in Rd 2 and Hardman on Day 3.  Here is a counter of an all Bama draft.  Blend the two and we'd be solid...or make it an all Bama, UGA, & Clemson draft...

Rd1 - Jonah Williams, OT Alabama

Rd2 -  Josh Jacobs, RB Alabama or Damien Harris, RB Alabama or Irv Smith TE, Alabama

Rd3 - Mack Wilson, LB Alabama 

Rd4a - Deionte Thompson, S Alabama

Rd4b - Isaiah Buggs, DL Alabama

Rd5a - Saivion Smith, CB Alabama                                                               

Rd5b - Christian Miller, Edge Alabama

Rd6 - Ross Pierschbacher, C Alabama

Rd7 - Lester Cotton, OG Alabama

[theProf]

2 hours ago, Falconsin2012 said:

I mean, if you’re forced to pick from only one team, UGA & Clemson are about as good as it gets this draft cycle.  Bama as well

This draft fills a bunch of needs despite having to draft a few players a tad early.  Walker, Baker, Holyfield, Ridley & Gaillard would all be solid contributors within 2 years. 

And Ledbetter is seriously undervalued IMO.  He wrecked BAMA’s OL

And make room for this guy (Terry Godwin) as an UDFA.  Another underutilized weapon.  Great hands and speed

 

Yep, one could certainly get a good draft from just UGA, Clemson, or Bama this year. The preceding poster just did an Bama-only mock draft.  I primarily did this fun mock draft to show that UGA could possibly have a player drafted in each one of the seven rounds this year, and also that several UGA players could certainly help meet some of the Falcons needs. 

[theProf]

4 hours ago, Gold4425 said:

In the past TD has been reluctant to draft DAWG players. Hopefully he'll change that stance this year  Also while we are talking Georgia I like a few Georgia kids for late 6-7th draft picks or UFDA = Georgia Tech DE/LB , ST. ARMOUR - This kid is way better than people give him credit for. Gets after it on pass rushing. Playing at GT under that offense hurt him but he will be a steal!

Penny Hart WR Georgia State he can stretch the field, exciting

Kennesaw State has a WR that can play too

That would be Justin Sumpter, who was also at the Falcons local pro-day. Georgia Tech's Anree Saint-Amour, who you also mentioned, was at the Falcons local pro-day too.

[g-dawg]

Natrez Patrick wasn’t good enough to start for his own college team. Terrible tackler.

[FalconsIn2012]

6 minutes ago, g-dawg said:

Natrez Patrick wasn’t good enough to start for his own college team. Terrible tackler.

Switch him with Goodwin and call it a wrap

[Gold4425]

G Dawg I know you don't like N. Patrick but some of my guys at UGA feel like he can play! He did have a bad year last year when Street & Smith had him listed as third team All SEC but in some prior years he did well. Can't tackle???? I don't know about that one. On Patrick all I'm SAYING is with that size 6:4-245 OLB and that doggg in him he is worth a 6-7th round draft or UFDA  look. I think he may surprise you.