Drafting Dawgs
The NFL just wrapped up their combine this weekend. Safe to say Georgia owned it. It started off quietly but once the DLs and LBs took the stage it went off with a bang. Jordan Davis ran a sub 5.0 40 yard dash. And it wasn’t one of those squeakers, it was a 4.78. At 340 pounds and 6'6 tall. It should not be humanly possible to do that. If there was any doubt Jordan was going to be picked in the first round, there shouldn’t be now.
Travon Walker and Devonte Wyatt also ran well. Channing Tindall ran a 4.4 40. Lewis Cine showed he could be a burner also. Hell, our PUNTER ran a 4.5 40. Now is as good a time as any to check in and see where our DAWGS stand to go to the NFL.
FIRST ROUND LOCKS…Two.
Right now I can only call two guys locks: Travon Walker and Jordan Davis. Both were always going in the first round, but with their combines, Travon has the potential to go top 10 and Jordan has the potential to go top 15. The ding on Travon will be numbers in college. But much of that is related to the scheme he played in. A smart team will take him and turn him loose. He has the potential to have a better career than the two guys mocked to go above him.
Jordan Davis always gets dinged for not being an every down player. I think the athleticism he showed he can be if need be.
FIRST ROUND POTENTIALS…Three.
Devonte Wyatt and Nakobe Dean should both go in the first round. Wyatt plays a premium position and Dean showed he is a premium player. However, Wyatt could slide out late for some silly reason. Dean didn’t run at the combine and may have medical issues that causes him to fall down the boards. Either way they both have enough of a question mark that I can’t call them locks.
George Pickens helped his cause first by working to come back this year from his spring ACL tear. Then he silenced some doubters by running a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash. He has great hands and is improving on his route running. It’s possible someone like the Packers takes him late and puts him on the other side of Davante Adams. It’s also possible he slides into the 33–50 range.
DAY TWO STUDS…Five.
Channing Tindall and Quay Walker are the forgotten men beside Nakobe Dean, but they had themselves a great weekend also. Some mocks have Walker going at the tail end of the first round. I think somewhere in the second round is a safe place to put both of these guys.
Lewis Cine was someone I saw as a third or fourth round guy until he clocked that blazing 40 time. Now I think he can sneak into the second round. Some are even saying he could go in the first, but I think that’s pushing it a little.
Jamaree Salyer can play all five positions on the OL. He may not go in the first, but with all the needs for good OL play many teams will think about grabbing him in the second round.
James Cook does it all and will find a team wanting his talent in the second or third round.
THE REST…
Zamir White had a nice 40 time, but he might be a tad limited in catching the ball out of the backfield. Some team may fall in love with him in the 4th-6th round.
Jake Camarda should get drafted. He’s a specialist so it’s never a guarantee.
Justin Shaffer is a battle tested guard who someone will take a chance on in rounds 5–7.
Derion Kendrick was fantastic and helped us win the title, but he doesn’t have any elite traits that will put him above the 4th-5th round.
John Fitzpatrick is a solid blocker with ideal size. But with so many free agent TEs and not getting a combine invite may mean he winds up in undrafted territory.
