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Nine Georgia Bulldogs ranked on 2025 NFL draft big board
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- Nine Georgia Bulldogs ranked on 2025 NFL draft big board
Nine Georgia Bulldogs are ranked on ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper's 2025 NFL draft big board (subscription required), which features the top 150 draft prospects. Kiper ranks three Dawgs in his top 25.
Georgia is expected to have over 10 players drafted . NFL teams love the way that Georgia head coach Kirby Smart develops players. Georgia has had 33 players selected over the past three drafts including a record-breaking 15 players selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Georgia is not predicted to break its own record again, but UGA could come close.
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The 2025 NFL draft will be held from Thursday, April 24 (stars a 8 p.m. ET) to Saturday, April 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Georgia safety Malaki Starks is the only Bulldog that plans to attend the draft in person.
Where does Mel Kiper rank Georgia Bulldogs in his final 2025 NFL draft big board?
Outside linebacker Jalon Walker
Feb 26, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (LB28) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Ranking: No. 10
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker is one of the most versatile players in the draft. Walker is Kiper's top rated off-ball linebacker, but he is also expected to be utilized as a pass rusher. Walker has excellent bend and speed.
"Walker gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers and get to the quarterback or ball carrier," said Kiper. Walker is often projected to land with the Carolina Panthers , who have the No. 8 pick in the draft.
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Positional ranking: No. 1
Safety Malaki Starks
Dec 7, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) practices before the 2024 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Ranking: No. 22
Georgia safety Malaki Starks is among the best safeties in the draft. Starks has fluid movement skills and recorded some acrobatic interceptions during his time at Georgia.
"He's a force against the run from the back end and doesn't miss many tackles. He closes so fast in coverage, allowing him to break up some passes, and he has spent time lined up over the slot," said Kiper on Starks, who is a three-year starter. Starks has positional versatility and is Kiper's second-ranked safety behind South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori .
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Positional ranking: No. 2
Defensive end Mykel Williams
Ranking: No. 24
Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams entered the 2024 college football season as a potential No. 1 pick. However, Williams' season did not go as planned. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 and was not fully healthy. Still, he put together a pair of dominant performances against Texas and has a lot of upside.
Interestingly, Kiper puts Williams at outside linebacker. We envision Williams as more of a 4-3 defensive end.
"Williams is extremely explosive and wins as a pass rusher with speed-to-power. His bend off the edge is outstanding. The tools are all there," said Kiper.
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Positional ranking: No. 4
Center Jared Wilson
Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Jared Wilson (55) prepares to snap the ball during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Ranking: No. 45
Georgia center Jared Wilson is one of the best athletes, regardless of position, in the draft. Wilson has just one season of starting experience, but is exactly what NFL teams are looking for at center.
Kiper is pretty high on Wilson. However, NFL teams don't value center as much as other positions, so don't be surprised if Wilson slides beyond Kiper's ranking of Wilson.
Positional ranking: No. 1
Guard Tate Ratledge
Ranking: No. 87
Georgia guard Tate Ratledge brings a lot of experience to the NFL. During his Georgia career, Ratledge rarely allowed sacks. He helped the Bulldogs win the 2022 national championship after missing Georgia's 2021 national championship run due to an injury.
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Positional ranking: No. 7
Linebacker Smael Mondon
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon (LB20) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Ranking: No. 95
Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon is another UGA player with excellent athleticism and experience. Kiper is high on Mondon, who is usually projected to go later than the first 100 picks in most mock drafts. Mondon posted at least 55 tackles and one sack over each of his final three seasons at Georgia.
Positional ranking: No. 6
Guard Dylan Fairchild
Former Georgia offensive lineman Dylan Fairchild (53) runs a drill during UGA Footballs Pro Day in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Representatives from all 32 NFL teams are on hand to watch former UGA football players in action.
Ranking: No. 110
Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild was an AP All-America second team selection in 2024. He started 24 games over the past two years at Georgia including 14 starts last season. Fairchild has a background in wrestling and is a great athlete.
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Positional ranking: No. 10
Running back Trevor Etienne
Trevor Etienne #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball against the Texas Longhorns
Ranking: No. 119
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, who transferred to UGA after spending two seasons at Florida, will have a chance to earn immediate playing time in the NFL. Etienne is a good receiver and has the versatility that NFL teams desire.
He put together a pair of strong games against a Texas defense that is loaded with talent. Most notably, he scored a walk-off game-winning overtime touchdown against Texas in the SEC championship.
Positional ranking: No. 10
Defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Oct 5, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) runs against Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (93) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Ranking: No. 123
Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins came to Georgia as a four-star recruit out of Gaffney High School in South Carolina. Ingram-Dawkins is Kiper's 10th-best defensive end in the draft and never posted monster numbers at Georgia (39 career tackles and four career sacks).
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Ingram-Dawkins has excellent size and impressed teams at the NFL combine. He has a lot to offer as a run-stopper and as a pass rusher.
Positional ranking: No. 10
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia football 2025 NFL draft big board rankings
