Georgia Bulldogs Football

It seemed at one point during the first round of the 2022 NFL draft that there may not be any wide receivers left for Friday or Saturday.

That's because USC's Drake London, Ohio State's Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Alabama's Jameson Williams, Penn State's Jahan Dotson and Arkansas' Treylon Burks all heard their names called between picks No. 8 and 18.

It was the type of run many expected in a draft loaded with quality pass-catchers and missing the quarterback depth of past ones, with Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett the only signal-caller to go in the first round.

Yet it wasn't all bad news for teams in need of wide receivers in the second round. That's because there were no pass-catchers drafted from picks Nos. 19-32, meaning Georgia's George Pickens is still there for teams such as the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers.

All three teams could use the help at wide receiver—Chicago doesn't have any established options outside of Darnell Mooney, Green Bay needs to find replacements for the departed Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Baltimore unexpectedly traded Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals.

Pickens would fill an obvious need for any of the three teams, although there are some health concerns since he appeared in just four games during the 2021 campaign after undergoing knee surgery.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department still ranked him as the seventh-best wide receiver and 34th-best overall player in this draft. B/R NFL Scout Nate Tice suggested he "has the size, ball skills and enough athleticism to be an X receiver who primarily runs a vertical route tree, which will also allow him to use his body strength and catching range. His size will translate into the red zone, and his blocking will be an asset right away."

The thought here is Pickens ends up on the Bears.

Chicago has two picks in the second round at No. 39 and 48 overall and desperately needs more options at wide receiver. Even if the team is in something of rebuilding mode after losing veterans Khalil Mack and Allen Robinson II this offseason, the development of Justin Fields is the most important thing for the long-term outlook of the franchise.

Having young and reliable pass-catchers who he can develop with as he begins his second season in the league is a major part of that, and Mooney is the only one who fits that description on the entire roster.

Pickens' ability to run deep routes would play well with Fields' strengths as someone who impressed with his deep throws at times, even during an inconsistent rookie season.

Chicago needs to add multiple playmakers at the wide receiver spot, and Pickens would be an ideal way to start during Friday's second round. If the Bears don't take him, expect the Ravens (No. 45) or Packers (Nos. 53 and 59) to jump at the opportunity.

With the No. 22 pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers decided to bolster their defensive unit by selecting Georgia linebacker Quay Walker. 

With the selection of Walker, let's take a look at Green Bay's updated defensive depth chart:

DE: Dean Lowry 

NT: Kenny Clark, Tedarrell Slaton

DE: Jarran Reed, Jack Heflin

LOLB: Preston Smith, Tipa Galeai, Randy Ramsey 

LILB: Krys Barnes, Quay Walker, Ty Summers, Ray Wilborn

RILB: De'Vondre Campbell, Isaiah McDuffie, 

ROLB: Rashan Gary, Jonathan Garvin, La'Darius Hamilton

LCB: Jaire Alexander, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kabion Ento 

SS: Adrian Amos, Vernon Scott, Innis Gaines

FS: Darnell Savage, Shawn Davis

RCB: Eric Stokes, Kiondre Thomas

SCB: Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon

The Packers likely hope to pair Walker with All-Pro De'Vondre Campbell, who re-signed with the franchise on a five-year, $50 million deal in March after an impressive 2021 campaign in which he finished with a career-high 146 tackles.

Walker was not a starter for Georgia until his senior season. However, he impressed in his final campaign for the national champion Bulldogs, recording 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, 67 tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss in 15 games.

Walker's draft stock rose immensely after an impressive combine performance in which his athleticism was on full display. The 6'4", 241-pound linebacker recorded a 4.52 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical and a 122-inch broad jump.

While the Packers' defense didn't necessarily struggle in 2021, Walker will help improve a Green Bay passing defense that finished 10th in the NFL, allowing 219.1 passing yards per game. The team's rush defense ranked 11th in the league, allowing 109.1 yards per game on the ground. 

That said, it was surprising to see the Packers not use their first selection on a wide receiver. After trading Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay is left with Sammy Watkins, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb as Aaron Rodgers' top targets, none of which are as talented as Adams. 

However, it's worth noting some of the draft's top receivers were off the board before the Packers were on the clock, including Chris Olave, Drake London, Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson, Jahan Dotson and Treylon Burks. 

Georgia defensive tackle Warren Brinson was arrested Thursday on two misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged TikTok challenge. 

Per Anthony Dasher of Rivals.com, Brinson turned himself in to Athens-Clarke County jail on charges of simple battery after he allegedly shot water-based gel beads out of a toy gun at a group of people on Georgia's campus.

Brinson was later released on $3,000 bond.

According to Dasher, Brinson was doing the "Orbeez Challenge" from TikTok in which participants use a toy gun to shoot water-based gel beads at random strangers while recording.

Brinson said in a message to Dasher he "was in his vehicle when he pulled up to a group of people that he thought he knew," but he was mistaken and the individuals filed a report after calling police about the incident. 

The "Orbeez Challenge" has generated significant controversy. The Orange County (Florida) Sheriff's Office tweeted Tuesday that individuals who take part in the challenge will be arrested for terrorizing people. 

The Voluisa Sheriff's Office announced last month the arrest of a 19-year-old who shot an Amazon driver in his neck and glasses as he was driving as part of the challenge. 

The Georgia football program has not yet issued a statement about Brinson's arrest. 

Brinson has appeared in 19 games for the Bulldogs over the past two seasons. He recorded nine total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack to help Georgia win a national title in 2021. 

Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis became the talk of the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday with his 40-yard dash.

After posting a 4.78-second time in the 40, Davis got a shoutout from The Rock on Twitter for his "holy s--t fast" speed:

If it sounds like running that fast at 341 pounds is not normal, that's because it's not. Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus provided additional context for that run:

Per NFL Research, Davis measured in taller than Rob Gronkowski and heavier than Jason Peters and still posted a faster 40-yard time than Patrick Mahomes (4.80) and a better 10-yard split (1.68) than Jarvis Landry (1.73).

Davis put up terrific numbers in four seasons at Georgia as an interior defender. He had 11.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 41 college games.

B/R's NFL scouting department already had Davis ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the 2022 draft class.

Based on the athleticism and speed Davis put on display at the combine, he may not even last until the ninth pick when the draft begins April 28.

Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis showed off his remarkable athleticism Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine by posting a better-than-expected performance in the 40-yard dash.

Despite weighing in at 341 pounds, Davis unofficially completed the 40 in 4.82 seconds. The NFL later reported Davis' official time clocked in at an even more impressive 4.78 seconds. 

Generally, anything under five seconds would be a great time for someone over 300 pounds, so the fact that Davis' unofficial time is so far under 5.00 puts him in an elite tier in terms of speed for someone his size.

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus broke down where Davis stands in terms of size in relation to 40 time:

Davis was a huge part of Georgia's defensive success in 2021, registering 32 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks in 14 games. As a result, he finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

With Davis leading the way, the Bulldogs beat Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and gave up 18 or fewer points in all but one game last season.

Even before his blazing time in the 40, Davis looked like a strong bet to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department ranks Davis as the No. 1 defensive lineman and No. 9 overall player in the 2022 NFL draft class.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department also mocked Davis to the New York Jets at No. 10 overall in its most recent mock draft.

Davis is already sought after due to his elite skills as a run stuffer, but after running so well at the combine, it generates some hope that he can develop even more as a pass-rusher as well.

E.J. Lightsey, a Georgia football commit, is in stable condition after being shot Monday in his hometown of Fitzgerald, Georgia.

Fitzgerald Police Chief William Smallwood Jr. told Mark Schlabach of ESPN that Lightsey was shot multiple times in a park around 6:30 p.m. ET.

"[Lightsey] was picked up and taken to the hospital," Smallwood said. "After that, I can't tell you exactly what happened because we've got so many different stories and versions of it. We're trying to piece it together right now."

Lightsey was shot in his back and shoulder but is expected to make a full recovery. Smallwood said the shooting appears gang-related, but no arrests have been made.

Lightsey signed with Georgia earlier this month after leading Fitzgerald High School to a state championship in 2021. He was considered the No. 47 linebacker and 49th-best player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports.

Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith was arrested in Barrow County earlier this month. 

Per Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald, Smith was given two misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended license and speeding in a construction zone after being arrested on Jan. 19.

Smith was released from custody less than a half-hour after being booked into Barrow County Detention Center. 

According to the Barrow County Sherriff’s Office (via Weiszer), Smith was pulled over when his pickup truck was clocked going 89 mph in a 55-mph construction zone. 

"A license check showed Smith’s license had been suspended since Jan. 19. 2021 for a 'serious violation under 21,'" Weiszer wrote. 

Smith told the officers his license was supposed to be reinstated the day after he was pulled over. 

A native of Bradenton, Florida, Smith just finished his junior season for the Bulldogs. He has appeared in 38 games over the past three seasons, including 14 of 15 contests during the 2021 season. 

Georgia has not yet commented on the situation. 

Smith recorded seven total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack in Georgia's 33-18 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 10. He announced on Jan. 17 that he was returning to school for his senior season in 2022.    

If you can't beat them, join them. If you do beat them, join them anyway.

After helping Georgia beat Alabama in the national championship game, receiver Jermaine Burton will switch to the other side of the SEC rivalry by transferring to the Crimson Tide, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren.

Burton finished second on the Bulldogs with 497 receiving yards, adding five touchdowns on 26 receptions. In 2020 as a freshman, the wideout totaled 27 catches for 404 yards and three scores.

The former 4-star recruit was considered the No. 15 receiver in the country entering college, per 247Sports composite rankings, holding offers from Alabama, LSU, USC and more before deciding on Georgia.

Burton quickly emerged as a deep threat for Georgia, averaging 19.1 yards per reception in 2021. That would have ranked 14th in the country if he had enough catches to qualify. One of the biggest plays of his career came in the Orange Bowl win over Michigan when he caught a 57-yard touchdown from Stetson Bennett:

That touchdown catch helped put Georgia in the national championship game, where Burton totaled two catches for 28 yards in a 33-18 win.

He could have an even bigger role at Alabama, where the team is desperate for proven receivers.

The top three wideouts from last season—Jameson Williams, John Metchie and Slade Bolden—all declared for the NFL draft, while tight end Jahleel Billingsley transferred to Texas. 

Outside of tight end Cameron Latu, the Tide's top returning receiver is Traeshon Holden, who has just 21 catches for 239 yards in his collegiate career.

Burton could be an impact player in 2022 catching passes from Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.   

The recruiting battle for 2023 quarterback Arch Manning looks to be getting more intense with several top college coaches visiting Isidore Newman School.

Isidore Newman football coach Nelson Stewart told Koki Riley of the Lafayette Daily Advertiser that Alabama's Nick Saban and Georgia's Kirby Smart will be among the coaches heading to New Orleans this week.

Riley did note that NCAA recruiting regulations prevent coaches from interacting with Manning or his family at this time, but they are allowed to speak with Stewart.

"I know they're limited in their interactions (with Manning), but obviously anytime he can briefly speak with somebody or really even have a Zoom or go on campus, I think he's really enjoyed it," Stewart told Riley.

Other notable coaches visiting the school this week are Brian Polian and Mike Denbrock from LSU, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and Texas quarterbacks coach A.J. Milwee. Alabama is also sending offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien and defensive coordinator Pete Golding with Saban.

Per Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Mississippi offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. visited the school last week and was in attendance for one of Manning's basketball games this week.

Manning—the oldest son of Cooper Manning, brother of Peyton and Eli Manning—has already generated tremendous hype as the next great quarterback recruit, and he is ranked as a 5-star prospect and the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 class, per 247Sports.

Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma are among the schools that have offered Manning a scholarship.

He finished the 2021 season with more than 2,000 yards passing, 26 passing touchdowns, eight rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Isidore Newman lost 49-7 to Lafayette Christian Academy in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division III playoff semifinals.