ESPN NFL analyst predicts Georgia Bulldogs to extend remarkable NFL Draft streak

ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager has stirred up excitement among college football and NFL fans with his latest 2025 mock draft, placing two standout Georgia Bulldogs within the top 10 picks. Schrager projects linebacker Jalon Walker to land at No. 8 with the Carolina Panthers, followed immediately by defensive lineman Mykel Williams heading to the New Orleans Saints at No. 9.

My one and only mock draft, up now on ESPN. @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/BHIMdBI4mT

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 23, 2025

The twist? Both teams are divisional rivals of the Atlanta Falcons, meaning Georgia fans who also support their home-state NFL team could find themselves in an emotional tug-of-war. With Walker and Williams potentially suiting up for NFC South opponents, these former Bulldogs would square off against the Falcons twice a year, a double-edged sword for fans used to cheering them on in Athens.

Schrager also has another Georgia defender sneaking into the first round. Safety Malaki Starks is slotted at No. 30 overall to the Buffalo Bills, a selection that would add to the growing legacy of Georgia’s defensive pipeline to the NFL. Known for his range and ability to impact games from multiple spots in the secondary, Starks could be a valuable late-round pickup for Buffalo’s retooled defense.

This year’s draft could extend a notable streak for Georgia. If all three Bulldogs are selected in the opening round, it would mark the fourth straight NFL Draft in which the program has produced multiple first-rounders. Back in 2022, Georgia made headlines with a record five players being selected in the first round, including Travon Walker, who was chosen first overall. He was joined by Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Lewis Cine. Should both Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams break into the top 10, it would be the first time in the Kirby Smart era that two Bulldogs crack the top 10 in the same draft.

The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night from Green Bay’s historic Lambeau Field, where Georgia fans will be watching closely, some with mixed emotions.