Who will be this year’s Philly special? The Georgia Bulldogs-Philadelphia Eagles defensive pipeline has been well established. That’s nothing new for Georgia’s defense. In the last four NFL Drafts, Georgia has had 42 players drafted. 23 of which have come from the defensive side of the ball. This year’s defense should hear their name early and often, yet again. Let’s go between the hedges and preview Georgia’s Defensive Draft outlook.
Between the Hedges: Georgia’s Defensive Draft Preview
Mykel Williams
Position: DE
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 260
Georgia Career:
Coaches’ Second Team All-SEC selection. Appeared in 11 games, making five starts. Ranked second on the team with five sacks and finished third among all Bulldog defenders with 8.5 tackles for a loss totaling 52 yards.
Scouting Analysis:
Despite playing in a deep rotation that limited his snap counts, he’s managed to rack up impressive production when on the field, including a statement performance against Texas in the 2024 SEC Championship where he notched two sacks and five quarterback pressures. His versatility has been on full display, lining up everywhere from 4i-technique to stand-up edge rusher. – NFL Draft Buzz
NFL Draft Projection: 1st Round (Mid)
Jalon Walker
Position: LB
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 243
Georgia Career:
Butkus Award winner, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. He appeared in all 14 games, making 11 starts. Finished third among all Georgia defenders with 60 total tackles and led the team with 10.5 tackles for a combined loss of 50 yards. Tied for first on the team with 6.5 sacks totaling 41 yards. Delivered a standout performance in the win over Texas, leading the team with seven solo tackles—including three sacks for a loss of 23 yards—while also recovering a fumble and registering seven quarterback pressures, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week and Bednarik Award Player of the Week honors.
Scouting Analysis:
The 2024 season marked his explosion onto the national stage, earning the prestigious Butkus Award while anchoring a ferocious Georgia defense. His versatility shined brightest against Texas, where he recorded three sacks and consistently disrupted the backfield, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. – NFL Draft Buzz
NFL Draft Projection: 1st Round (Mid)
Malaki Starks
Position: S
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 197
Georgia Career:
AFCA and FWAA All-America First Team selection. Started all 13 games for the Bulldogs this season and led the team with 77 total tackles, including four tackles for a loss of 12 yards. Matched his career high with 10 tackles in the regular season finale against Georgia Tech.
Scouting Analysis:
What jumps off the tape isn’t just the raw athleticism – though his track speed absolutely translates – but rather how quickly Starks developed the football instincts to maximize those physical gifts. His transformation from pure athlete to defensive cornerstone is a masterclass in development. – NFL Draft Buzz
NFL Draft Projection: 1st Round (Late)
Smael Mondon Jr.
Position: LB
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 224
Georgia Career:
Appeared in 10 games this season, starting eight. Ranked seventh on the team with 57 total tackles and tied for third among Bulldog defenders with three sacks, recorded against Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Notre Dame. Led the team with a career-high 13 tackles, including a sack for a loss, in the regular season finale win over Georgia Tech.
Scouting Analysis:
The long, athletic linebacker capped his collegiate career with an impressive Senior Bowl week, where he showcased the fluid movement skills and coverage ability that has scouts intrigued. His practice performances validated the athleticism that jumps off his game tape, particularly in one-on-one coverage drills against tight ends. Prior to that, Mondon’s 2024 season featured several standout moments, including his career-high 13 tackles against Georgia Tech and a disruptive eight-tackle outing against Tennessee that included a critical third-down sack. – NFL Draft Buzz
NFL Draft Projection: 4th Round
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Position: DL
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 276
Georgia Career:
Played in all 14 games this season, starting 10. Recorded 19 total tackles, tied for third on the team with two sacks, and ranked fourth among Bulldog defenders with eight tackles for a combined loss of 28 yards.
Scouting Analysis:
The versatile defender seized his moment, starting 10 games while accumulating 19 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. His breakout performance against Kentucky (3 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 7 QB pressures) earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors and showcased the disruptive potential that had been bubbling beneath the surface. – NFL Draft Buzz
NFL Draft Projection: 6th Round
Nazir Stackhouse
Position: DL
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 327
Georgia Career:
Played in all 14 games, starting 13 of them. Recorded 27 total tackles on the season and matched his career high with five tackles in the game against Ole Miss.
Scouting Analysis:
Through 56 career games and over 1,500 snaps, Stackhouse established himself as the unsung hero of Georgia’s defense, rarely dominating the stat sheet but consistently executing his assignments with discipline. His production peaked during his final two seasons, accumulating 51 tackles while starting every contest. – NFL Draft Buzz
NFL Draft Projection: 6th Round
Warren Binson
Position: DL
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 310
Georgia Career:
Appeared in 12 of 14 games, starting four. Recorded 26 total tackles, including six tackles for a combined loss of 16 yards. In the win over UMass, he was one of two Bulldogs to lead the team in tackles, finishing with five solo stops, including a seven-yard sack, and three quarterback pressures.
Scouting Analysis:
Through 57 career games in the red and black, Brinson accumulated 71 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and six sacks while establishing himself as a versatile piece within Georgia’s fearsome defensive front. His knack for creating pressure manifested in numerous quarterback hurries, including five in a single game against South Carolina in 2023. – NFL Draft Buzz
NFL Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Dan Jackson
Position: S
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195
Georgia Career:
A four-year player at Georgia and former walk-on, he emerged as a key leader of the Bulldogs’ 2024 defense. Once a scout team member, he finished his final season in Athens third on the team with 64 total tackles. He ranked second among all Georgia defenders in interceptions, recording picks against both Alabama and Ole Miss.
Scouting Analysis:
Jackson projects as a core special-teamer with two-high safety flexibility, but his lack of athleticism and deep speed will limit his impact at the next level. The work ethic and football IQ will get him on an NFL roster and keep him there. – The Draft Network
NFL Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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