Georgia draws NFL evaluators in droves for pro day

All 32 teams were represented at the annual Georgia Pro Day in Athens, Ga., with evaluators in town for a close-up with more than a dozen Bulldogs prospects expected to be under consideration during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan, Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce were among the pro football dignitaries on the field on the first day of the NFL league year on Wednesday.

Several NFL teams had larger contingents on hand. The Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals sent multiple scouts and position coaches.

Eight total prospects produced by the Bulldogs were selected in the first round the past two years, including No. 1 pick Travon Walker to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the ninth pick in the 2023 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Georgia has produced six top-10 draft picks since 2015 (running back Todd Gurley, Rams) and Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers is projected as a potential top-10 pick in April.

Bowers, offensive tackle Amarius Mims, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, center Sedrick Van Pran, safeties Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard and running back Kendall Milton are all expected to be drafted by the fourth round of the 2024 draft.

Fifteen total Georgia prospects were selected in the 2022 and 2023 drafts.