Seven former Bulldogs were taken in this year’s NFL Draft over the weekend while others received a shot to prove themselves in training camp during the summer.
Deandre Baker, Mecole Hardman, Riley Ridley, Lamont Gaillard, D’Andre Walker, Isaac Nauta, and Terry Godwin included those selected in the draft.
Below, we compiled a list of reactions across the NFL for each Bulldog selection.
NFL Draft selections
Deandre Baker: Giants
#NYG acquire 30th overall pick from #Seahawks and select Georgia CB Deandre Baker who didn't give up a TD his last two college seasons. NYG gave SEA their 2nd, a 4th and a 5th-round pick.
— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) April 26, 2019
3️⃣0️⃣ Deandre Baker pic.twitter.com/TVjAvpWOL6
— Front Office Sports (@frntofficesport) April 26, 2019
Lil Wayne had a special message for Deandre Baker after he was drafted 🙌 @DreBaker1_ @LilTunechi @Giants pic.twitter.com/wtPWqp4OBm
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) April 27, 2019
Giants select CB DeAndre Baker with pick No. 30. Some considered him the top corner in the draft but he likely lasted this long because some teams had concerns about his character.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 26, 2019
New NYG CB Deandre Baker finished with the draft class' second-highest three-year coverage grade. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/qdflTNAV6Z
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 26, 2019
I would take @QuinnenWilliams No.1 pick tonight unless I had to have a QB and no way in hell am I passing up Deandre Baker in 1st round. He shut out dudes every week for last two years in the #SEC. #NFLDraft2019
— Rusty Mansell (@Mansell247) April 25, 2019
Here's @dpbrugler scouting report on Deandre Baker: pic.twitter.com/dtAPOSVdVx
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) April 26, 2019
SEC East first round draft picks:
Kentucky: Josh Allen
Georgia: Deandre Baker
Florida:— Wes Jackson (@wesj_42) April 26, 2019
I asked DeAndre Baker if he recalled the last touchdown he gave up at UGA.
Of course he did.
A 1-yard back-shoulder fade at the goal line against TCU in the Liberty Bowl in 2016.That's the only TD Baker gave up in his college career. Believes he is the best corner in the draft.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 26, 2019
Mecole Hardman: Chiefs
What could have been:
Jets tried to position themselves to trade up into 2nd round for Georgia WR Mecole Hardman, per sources… but Chiefs traded up 1 spot ahead (No. 56 overall) to get him to be a potential replacement for Tyreek Hill.
Hardman is going to be game-changer
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) April 29, 2019
Pat Mahomes gets a burner 🔥
Chiefs draft Georgia WR Mecole Hardman pic.twitter.com/EO06R9SM0K
— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) April 27, 2019
Chiefs pick Georgia WR Mecole Hardman. 4.33 40.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 27, 2019
Mecole Hardman’s fantasy value… pic.twitter.com/SvX9FccrCg
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) April 27, 2019
New Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman has seen an 85.2 passer rating when targeted since 2017 pic.twitter.com/n8bxTajbTD
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 27, 2019
I watched Mecole Hardman torch Mizzou. He can return and take the top off a defense. Legit threat.
— TOM MARTIN ™️ (@TomKCTV5) April 27, 2019
Chiefs take WR Mecole Hardman with pick No. 56. (And maybe now they'll cut Tyreek Hill.)
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 27, 2019
OK, so Mecole Hardman is the "oh, crap, we're going to lose Tyreek Hill" pick.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@FO_ASchatz) April 27, 2019
Since 2017. new Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman has averaged 2.55 yards per route run – 3rd in the SEC in that time among draft class WRs. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/zxMsWts8xh
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 27, 2019
Last season, Mecole Hardman recorded 34 receptions for 532 yards & 7 touchdowns. He was a 2nd team All-SEC (return specialist) member.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) April 27, 2019
Mecole Hardman's third year playing wide receiver in his entire football career will be for the Kansas City Chiefs. So much untapped potential there.
— Jake Rowe (@Rowe247) April 27, 2019
Mecole Hardman is different. Speed is on another level. Raw, but man you have to get excited about him catching passes from Pat Mahomes.
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) April 27, 2019
Chiefs just drafted the closest thing to Tyreek Hill in the draft, Mecole Hardman.
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) April 27, 2019
Riley Ridley: Bears
Chicago Bears just got Georgia WR Riley Ridley. Why did he last this long? Big in every bulldog game I watched. Tough. Dependable. Feels like a total steal. Best late pick so far IMO.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) April 27, 2019
Mitch Trubisky's new arsenal:
Allen Robinson
Taylor Gabriel
Anthony Miller
Riley Ridley
Cordarrelle Patterson
Javon WimsTarik Cohen
David Montgomery
Mike DavisTrey Burton
Adam ShaheenI don't recall a #Bears GM ever investing in his QB before Ryan Pace like this.
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) April 27, 2019
NFL Network insider Daniel Jeremiah just said the Bears got a top-50 player in this draft in Riley Ridley. 👀
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 27, 2019
Back-to-back years the #Bears getting great value on day three of the draft with Georgia receivers.
WR Riley Ridley isn't as dynamic as Calvin, but you see the same attention to detail as route-runners and that plays in the NFL.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 27, 2019
Bears just picked Georgia WR Riley Ridley at No. 126 overall (4th round). . He's the younger bro of Calvin Ridley. More weapons for Nagy and Trubisky.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) April 27, 2019
Bears GM Ryan Pace does it again with Riley Ridley. Are the other teams even trying?#NFLDraft
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) April 27, 2019
“Perfect fit in that offense. They just got a Top 50 player in my opinion.” – @MoveTheSticks on WR Riley Ridley to the #Bears at No. 126.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) April 27, 2019
The #Bears have developed a Georgia pipeline as Pace has now drafted Leonard Floyd, Roquan Smith, Javon Wims and Riley Ridley.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) April 27, 2019
Riley Ridley in Matt Nagy’s offense 🔥
Bears take the UGA receiver 126th overall. pic.twitter.com/ZuiBF2x3bD
— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) April 27, 2019
Ryan Pace said he was looking forward to truly drafting best player available given the Bears' clean depth chart. That seems to be the case with receiver Riley Ridley, considered a terrific value in the fourth round.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 27, 2019
NFL Network gushing about the Riley Ridley pick for the #Bears.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) April 27, 2019
Here's where a few respected draft analysts had new #Bears WR Riley Ridley:
Dane Brugler- 2nd/3rd (WR8)
NFL.com- 2nd/3rd (WR7)
Draft Network- Late 2nd (WR)— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) April 27, 2019
Lamont Gaillard: Cardinals
Kliff Kingsbury will have some real fire power this year.
Draft:
1. Kyler Murray, QB
2. Andy Isabella, WR
4. Hakeem Butler, WR
6. KeeSean Johnson, WR
6. Lamont Gaillard, CAdds to:
RB David Johnson
WR Larry Fitzgerald
WR Christian Kirk
TE Charles Clay pic.twitter.com/aNWwZQqcVl— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) April 27, 2019
Lamont Gaillard. 2018 SEC championship game. They should legit put that tape in the adult film section.
— Mike Golic Jr (@MGolicJR57) April 24, 2019
Prospects still available in my Top 100
58. S Deionte Thompson, Alabama
62. EDGE D'Andre Walker, Alabama
73. RB Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska
76. WR Stanley Morgan, Nebraska
78. WR Emanuel Hall, Missouri
89. CB Isaiah Johnson, Houston
94. iOL Lamont Gaillard, Georgia pic.twitter.com/mT235Y9djF— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 27, 2019
With their second pick in the sixth round, the Cardinals draft a center, Lamont Gaillard out of Georgia, Ranks as the fourth-best center in the draft.
— Bob McManaman (@azbobbymac) April 27, 2019
#AZCardinals finally address offensive line in the #NFLdraft, selecting Georgia center Lamont Gaillard with their second sixth-round pick https://t.co/RFuSIZngWN
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) April 27, 2019
The #Cardinals are having a my kind of draft: Kyler, Isabella, Zach Allen, Deionte Thompson and now Lamont Gaillard.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 27, 2019
#Cardinals fans..a thread on Lamont Gaillard, a guy I loved on day 3 & someone I think has a good chance at sticking and contributing. https://t.co/e3Yx0oWNs4
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) April 27, 2019
D’Andre Walker: Titans
D’Andre Walker (@DAndreWalker15) led @FootballUGA in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (11) last season.
Player Info 📰 » https://t.co/d83R4cXLRx https://t.co/3PDZ0JLokJ
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) April 27, 2019
Top available on the consensus board:
36. S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
37. WR Hakeem Butler
50. CB Julian Love
51. S Deionte Thompson
52. WR Kelvin Harmon
55. LB Mack Wilson
60. CB Amani Oruwariye
67. S Amani Hooker
72. WR Riley Ridley
76. ED D'Andre Walker
83. DL Charles Omenihu— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) April 27, 2019
I was right but a few rounds early. D'Andre Walker is the pick here. For real. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 27, 2019
Titans select OLB D'Andre Walker at #168. Walker is a high-motor edge defender that sets the edge. He has drawn comparisons to Justin Houston. Walker adds to the group of outside LBs and was a dominant player at Georgia. A knee injury kept him from… https://t.co/fvVKLCwfLS
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 27, 2019
Final @PFF overall rankings for the #Titans 2019 draft class:
8. Simmons
20. AJ Brown
74. Nate Davis
44. Amani Hooker
139. D’Andre Walker
120. David LongOnce again, positive equity on each pick. Hooker remains a unanimous steal AND two top 20 players 👀
— Mike Herndon (@MikeMiracles) April 27, 2019
#Titans 5th round pick D’Andre Walker was #139 on the @PFF big board. He ranked 5th in average pash-rush snaps per pressure among draft eligible SEC edge defenders.#TitanUp pic.twitter.com/LKRoAf7Crk
— PFF TEN Titans (@PFF_Titans) April 27, 2019
Isaac Nauta: Lions
I would like to officially go on the record: Isaac Nauta will have a better NFL career than the other TE the Lions took in the first round.
— Brandon Adams (@DawgNationDaily) April 28, 2019
#DetroitLions get a steal, #Georgia TE Isaac Nauta in the 7th round … he'll make the roster and have a long career https://t.co/DPC8v9kRDG pic.twitter.com/ecD1U5V5PY
— Mike Griffith (@MikeGriffith32) April 27, 2019
Potentially will be a steal for the Detroit Lions https://t.co/zzVHo6TxG7
— JC Shurburtt (@jcshurburtt) April 27, 2019
Isaac Nauta says he and Matthew Stafford know each other. Have spoken a few times on Georgia’s campus.
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) April 27, 2019
He’ll always be a 🐶 but today he’s officially a member of the @Lions
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣6️⃣ #AllAmericanBowl 🇺🇸 alum Isaac Nauta (@isaac_nauta) is playing in the @NFL 3️⃣ years after making his college declaration live on @NBCSports #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/yrGc1XHjn7
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) April 27, 2019
Lions draft Isaac Nauta TE from Georgia to complete that TE room. Another steal on Day 3 by Bob Quinn #onepride
— LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) April 27, 2019
Terry Godwin: Panthers
#Panthers get maybe the biggest standout of everyone at the East-West Shrine Game practice week in former Georgia WR Terry Godwin. Got open at will in St. Pete.
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) April 27, 2019
This is cool. Panthers 7th-rounder Terry Godwin played on Cam Newton’s 7v7 high school all-star team. pic.twitter.com/UUEoBzb3g8
— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) April 28, 2019
RR: Terry Godwin will get a look in the return game. Took back 50% of his kickoff returns for TDs at Georgia. Had only two chances, but details …
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) April 27, 2019
A reminder that Terry Godwin was a lot more than just a football player at Callaway. He also excelled in basketball and baseball. As a junior he was a part of two final-four teams (football and basketball) and a quarterfinal team (baseball). He was drafted by the Braves in 2015. pic.twitter.com/5Kn1O9LHI4
— Kevin Eckleberry (@lagrangesports) April 27, 2019
Terry Godwin's NFL comparison is none other than Philly Brown, per https://t.co/so3AtfGjC7's @LanceZierlein.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 27, 2019
Carolina #Panthers 2019 draft class with @PFF's grades:
No. 16 – Brian Burns – 87.2 overall grade
No. 37 – Greg Little – 75.8
No. 100 – Will Grier – 91.1
No. 115 – Christian Miller – 80.3
No. 154 – Jordan Scarlett – 77.7
No. 212 – Dennis Daley – 66.1
No. 237 – Terry Godwin – 73.8— PFF CAR Panthers (@PFF_Panthers) April 27, 2019
