The Georgia Bulldogs have always been highly represented in Indianapolis, and the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine was no exception. The one difference this season was that the most highly rated Bulldogs testing for NFL teams did not come from Kirby Smart’s defense.
The Bulldogs could have three first-round NFL draft picks on the offensive side of the ball, and all three improved their draft status this weekend. The 2024 NFL Draft is still over two months away, but clubs are starting to develop their draft boards, and these are the ones I believe will target Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims, and Ladd McConkey, as well as the rest of the draft-eligible Georgia Bulldogs.
Brock Bowers elected not to work out in Indianapolis, which is a positive indicator for his draft prospects. Bowers talked with teams and may have received assurances that he will not slip out of the top ten. Bowers is a wonderful fit in New York, save from the fact that the Jets sorely need offensive tackles to keep Aaron Rodgers upright.
If Joe Douglas can address the offensive line in free agency, he’ll be able to spend like this year’s Sam LaPorta, but with even more upside.
For a time, Mims appeared to be the ultimate winner of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. There were rumors of a 4.33 short shuttle, which is roughly the same as Joe Mixon’s combine time, but at 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds. The Twitter story was disproved because Mims did not participate in any agility tests, but he was still a major winner in Indianapolis.
Mims clearly won the measures, since he has the best size of any offensive lineman candidate, and he ran extremely well in the 40-yard dash. However, his 10-yard split was not the best, which is the most critical aspect of the 40 for an offensive lineman. Still, the Saints need offensive tackle help, with Ryan Ramczyk aging and former first-rounder Trevor Penning at risk of washout
While McConkey did not participate in agility tests, he may have performed best there. McConkey can run a 40-yard dash in under 4.40 seconds, but his strongest skill as a receiver is his deceleration and ability to stop on a dime. New England will value his versatility as an outside receiver who can play the slot if necessary, and if the Patriots draft a quarterback in the first round, he will need someone to throw to.
