Matt Miller shares projections for Georgia players in 2023 NFL Draft

ESPN’s Matt Miller released his latest mock draft this week and has four Georgia players in his first round, plus one more in the second. Compared to others, Miller’s not quite as high on the Dawgs.

While many have projected Jalen Carter to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, Miller’s projecting a trade. After the Bears and Indianapolis Colts swap picks, Carter still lands with the Bears, but it’s at No. 4 and as the second defensive player off the board.

“The Bears traded back in this scenario but still are in position to select perhaps the top prospect in the class,” Miller writes. “In Matt Eberflus’ defense, the 3-technique pass-rusher is crucial, and Carter is a Fletcher Cox-like difference-maker there. He played in a rotation in 2021 and had an injury-plagued 2022, so we didn’t see him post great stat totals (just six career sacks). When watching the historically talented Georgia defense over the past two years, however, he was the most talented of the bunch.

Carter’s burst off the snap has the potential to be great, and he already displays an understanding of leverage, space and timing when unleashing spin and rip moves. He should enter the NFL as a high-end starter at the position on which Eberflus’ defense hinges.”

Broderick Jones to the Tennessee Titans at No. 11 has been a popular prediction, and Miller agrees. The one-season starter at left tackle, Jones has what the Titans are looking for in Miller’s mind.

“The left tackle position might not seem like a need for Tennessee, but veteran Taylor Lewan turns 32 before next season and missed all but two games of the 2022 season with a right knee injury. In fact, he hasn’t played a full season since 2017 and has just 20 starts in the past three years combined. The Titans have to get younger (and cheaper) at key positions while ensuring they hit on first-round picks,” Miller writes. “That’s why Ran Carthon was hired as general manager.

Jones is a physical, tough offensive tackle who has quick, light feet and the potential to become better shooting his hands. At 6-4 and 311 pounds, there will be questions about his length, but Jones was an elite left tackle in the SEC and is just 21 years old. He didn’t allow a single sack across 15 starts in 2022.”

An injury during his senior season makes Nolan Smith an interesting draft prospect. Some see him as a first rounder still, just as he was trending before the injury eight games in. Others are concerned about the injury and the way he’ll fit into an NFL scheme and drop him down further. Miller falls into the first category though, predicting him to be drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 21.

“The Chargers have multiple options here, but the front seven is a big problem,” Miller writes. “L.A. allowed 5.9 yards per play (29th). A torn pectoral muscle in late October ended Smith’s season, but the 6-3 senior posted 11.5 sacks in his career while, like most Georgia defenders, working in a heavy rotation. He is a versatile linebacker who is comfortable standing up or playing with his hand down and has the first-step quickness to stun blockers while also being agile enough to play in space as an off-ball linebacker. That’s perfect for the Chargers’ base 3-4 scheme and today’s NFL.

Smith, just 235 pounds during the season, will need to add strength, but his ability to quickly get into the backfield gives the Chargers a long-term pass-rusher opposite Joey Bosa. And in the meantime, he can help in space at linebacker when Bosa and Khalil Mack drop down to defensive end.”

As the final Georgia player picked in the first round, Miller’s got Darnell Washington going to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 31. Yes, there is an element of projection here with the last two picks of the first round not quite set yet as the Super Bowl has to shake out on Sunday. However, in Miller’s eyes, he’s got the Eagles flying high after a Super Bowl win and Washington getting to go join Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean in the City of Brotherly Love.

“The Eagles got a running back at No. 10 (Bijan Robinson) in this scenario, and some might view this pick as a luxury selection, too. Washington is one of the most impressive players in the draft class from an upside perspective, though. Yes, he was the No. 2 tight end at Georgia behind Brock Bowers and caught just 28 passes for two touchdowns in 2022, but scouts are in love with the potential he brings at 6-7 and 270 pounds with open-field agility, speed, length and power,” Miller writes.

“‘I’ve never seen a tight end with his size, strength and speed,’ said one longtime area scout at the Senior Bowl. Washington immediately gives Jalen Hurts a post-up option in the red zone, and, given his ability as a blocker, he will quickly provide Philadelphia the chance to run two-tight end sets; Washington and Dallas Goedert would create a ton of mismatches.”

Noticeably absent from Miller’s first round projections is Kelee Ringo. The Georgia corner had his ups and downs in 2022 but still has the traits of a first rounder in the eyes of many. According to Miller though, a drop well into the second round could be possible, having him come off the board at No. 60 to the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Three straight cornerbacks come off the board as teams try to find the answer to three-deep receiver groups like the one Cincinnati has in its own locker room,” Miller writes. “The Bengals have three cornerbacks, including starter Eli Apple, set to hit free agency in a year in which quarterback Joe Burrow is likely to get a new deal. Ringo, who had four picks over the past two seasons, has the best physical traits of any corner in this class, but his struggles in man coverage could push him to late in Round 2.”

All five of the Georgia players Miller projects will be present at the NFL Scouting Combine later this month. They’ll also be expected to work out for scouts at UGA Pro Day, set for March 15th in Athens.