Georgia football has a well-established reputation for fostering NFL-level talent , and the 2024 NFL playoffs' bright ligths will shine on many former Bulldogs.
Thirty-two former Bulldogs will fight for a Super Bowl ring as the NFL playoffs, starting with Wild Card Weekend. The Philadelphia Eagles boast six former Bulldogs, the most on any team, with running back D'Andre Swift and defensive tackle Jalen Carter making major impacts on both sides of the ball.
The Los Angeles Rams are quarterbacked by Matthew Stafford , who threw for 7,731 passing yards from 2006 to 2008 as the Bulldogs' signal-caller. Stafford will lead the Rams against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
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The Buffalo Bills , scheduled to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers , are led in the backfield by James Cook , a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, who was a member of Georgia's 2021 national championship team. NFL veteran defensive end Leonard Floyd , a Bulldog from 2013 to 2015, has 24 tackles and 9.5 sacks this season.
Here's a guide to where each former Bulldog is playing for the NFL playoffs:
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Linebacker Roquan Smith headlines the former Bulldogs on the Baltimore Ravens, who snatched the first seed in the AFC after winning 13 games this season. Smith, who was the eighth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has 84 solo tackles and 1.5 sacks in his 2024 campaign.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Ravens:
OG Ben Cleveland
LS Nick Moore (RES)
ILB Roquan Smith
Punter Jake Camarda will take the field for Tampa Bay as they face off against the Eagles on Monday. Camarda, who finished as UGA's career leader in punting average with a mark of 45.78, surpassing 2009 Ray Guy Award winner Drew Butler , was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after earning All-SEC First Team honors in the 2021 college football season.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Buccaneers:
PT Jake Camarda
S Richard LeCounte III (PS)
Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions to go along with 3,965 passing yards en route to a 10-7 record and NFL wild-card berth. He is backed up by another Bulldog in back-to-back national champion Stetson Bennett , but the rookie is currently on the team's reserve/non-football illness list.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Rams:
QB Matthew Stafford
QB Stetson Bennett (RES)
OT Warren McClendon Jr.
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The 49ers look to be title favorites out of the NFC and finished the regular season with a 12-5 record, in large part due to their depth across the board. Despite having yet to pull in a touchdown in his four-year career, tight end Charlie Woerner has seen game action in all 17 games and is crucial as a blocker in two-tight end sets with San Francisco star George Kittle . Chris Conley , who has three receptions on six targets this season, also adds receiver depth behind standouts like Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk .
Here are the former Bulldogs on the 49ers:
DE Robert Beal Jr.
WR Chris Conley
TE Charlie Woerner
The Dolphins added pass rusher Justin Houston on Jan. 9 to have an experienced veteran heading in the postseason. Houston, who was drafted in the third round of the 2011 draft, saw short stints in six games with the Carolina Panthers this season.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Dolphins:
OLB Justin Houston
ILB Channing Tindall
OG Isaiah Wynn (RES)
Former Georgia stars Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt have been part of a stout defensive unit in Green Bay this season. Walker has 118 total tackles on the season and came up with a game-sealing pick-six in a 38-20 Week 1 victory over Chicago . Devonte Wyatt added 5.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in his sophomore season.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Packers:
CB Eric Stokes (RES)
ILB Quay Walker
DE Devonte Wyatt
The Eagles boast the highest number of Bulldogs in the NFL, headlined by running back D'Andre Swift, who posted 1,049 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his first year with Philadelphia after three seasons with the Detroit Lions. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis have combined for 8.5 sacks and play major roles in the Eagles defensive front.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Eagles:
DT Jalen Carter
NT Jordan Davis
ILB Nakobe Dean (RES)
CB Kelee Ringo
OLB Nolan Smith
RB D'Andre Swift
The Steelers have two former Georgia players in the starting lineup. Broderick Jones starts at the right tackle spot, while George Pickens is a primary target for quarterback Mason Rudolph . Pickens has racked up 1,140 yards on 63 receptions and has found the end zone five times in his second season.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Steelers:
OT Broderick Jones
WR George Pickens
James Cook, a member of the 2021 Georgia national championship squad, has rushed for 1,122 yards this season, the fourth-highest mark among all NFL running backs, providing a release valve for star quarterback Josh Allen . On the defensive end, veteran Leonard Floyd garnered 10.5 sacks in 17 games in his first season with Buffalo.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Bills:
RB James Cook
DE Leonard Floyd
Tre McKitty (PS)
Mecole Hardman , who had 11 touchdowns in three seasons with Georgia, came up with a season-high 77 receiving yards in the Chiefs Week 18 victory over the Chargers , potentially earning playing time in the wild-card matchup against the Miami Dolphins. In seven games this season, defensive end Malik Herring has 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in his sophomore season.
Here are the former Bulldogs on the Chiefs:
WR Mecole Hardman
DE Malik Herring
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football players in NFL playoffs: Full list of former Bulldogs
