Seven former UGA football players joined the NFL through the seven rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft. Two Bulldogs were first-round picks.
For the second time in the Kirby Smart era, seven UGA football players were selected in the NFL Draft.
The Bulldogs could have broken the school record of eight players drafted, but defensive end Tyler Clark and safety J.R. Reed surprisingly went undrafted. Reed joined the Jacksonville Jaguars and kicker Rodrigo Blankenship joined the Indianapolis Colts as undrafted free agents. Clark is still available.
Georgia’s draft started early Thursday night when the New York Giants used the No. 4 overall pick on offensive tackle Andrew Thomas. The Giants have the skill players to make a dominant offense and Thomas might be the lineman the Giants need to complete the offense.
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On Saturday, the Giants ended the draft by using the last pick (No. 255 overall) on linebacker Tae Crowder. Thomas and Crowder join former UGA football teammates Deandre Baker and Lorenzo Carter in New York.
Thomas was the first of three Georgia offensive linemen taken in the draft. Fellow tackle Isaiah Wilson went to the Tennessee Titans with the 29th overall pick and the Miami Dolphins drafted guard Solomon Kindley. UGA football fans knew they had a powerful offensive line in Athens and it’s great to see the unit legitimized in the NFL Draft.
Some Bulldogs dropped lower than expected in the draft. D’Andre Swift dropped out of the first round when the Kansas City Chiefs used its 32nd overall pick on LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The decision was surprising because Swift’s proficiency as a pass blocker and pass catcher makes him a perfect fit for the Chiefs offense.
Instead, Detroit picked up Swift early in the second round with the 34th overall pick. Swift is also the perfect fit for the Lions who not only need improvements to their running game but needed a good outlet receiver for quarterback (and former Bulldog) Matthew Stafford as well.
Jake Fromm absolutely free fell in the draft, going from a possible second or third-round pick and ending up as the 167th overall selection by the Buffalo Bills. Fromm dropping out of the third round isn’t a huge surprise because of his struggles in 2019 and his decent performance at the combine, dropping all the way to the fifth round is what surprises UGA football fans.
Flying under the radar was tight end Charlie Woerner. The San Francisco 49ers drafted him 190th overall in the sixth round. As late-round picks, staying in the NFL will be an uphill battle for him and Crowder.
Woerner and Thomas also make history as the first players from their high schools to enter the NFL. Woerner from Rabun County High School and Thomas from Pace Academy.