15 Dawgs were taken in this year’s 2022 NFL Draft shattering the school record set last year at 9, and surpassing the NFL record of 14 total players from the same school being selected in one draft previously held by Louisiana State University and Ohio State University. Zamir White’s selection in the fourth round broke the school mark, and John Fitzpatrick helped break the NFL record when he was picked in the sixth round by the Atlanta Falcons. 

This is all good and great, but there was a moment where the Dawgs held their breath after not seeing a single Georgia player picked in the fifth round. Only two were picked in the fourth until things started to heat up again in the sixth with back-to-back picks at 212 and 213. 

Zamir White

Being picked 122nd overall, I think White is a great fit here from a culture standpoint. The Raiders are looking to turn things around after an awkward parting with Jon Gruden, and White should help with that. He’s an unproblematic guy who only gets out of hand when he gets on the field. He plays nasty and I think it’s fitting for the Raider’s notorious fanbase. They’re going to love him there.

Jake Camarda

This was a strong punter class in comparison to last year (4 total selected in 2022). In 2021 we didn’t see a special teamer come off the board until the 5th round. But in 2022 we saw 2 punters get their names called in the 4th round. Camarda, now headed to Tampa Bay, was the 133rd overall pick and the second punter to be drafted on the day.

Justin Shaffer

After skipping multiple opportunities to draft a Dawg, the Falcons finally get to it with Shaffer in the sixth round at 190th overall. Now, Shaffer gets to play for his home state alongside his cousin and fellow 2022 Falcons selection, DeAngelo Malone.

Jamaree Salyer

Salyer’s fall to the sixth was surprising to most. He projected to be a solid Day 2 guy, but the NFL went out of its way to prove our expectations wrong. Regardless, at 195th overall, the Los Angeles Chargers not only got a steal in the stud-of-a-guy that is Jamaree Salyer, but they also got a leader. What’s not highlighted nearly as much as his pancake against Aidan Hutchinson in the 2021 Orange Bowl is his vocality and way with words overall. Don’t be surprised if he finds his way to a starting position at tackle or guard at some point in his rookie year.

Derion Kendrick

If there’s one word to describe this pick, it’s “deserving.” Kendrick has been through a lot over the course of his career. From playing at Clemson to winning a National Championship with Georgia to now being picked 212th overall to the Los Angeles Rams, Kendrick’s seen it all. Something that we’ve been able to see was him buying into Kirby’s plan and what that’s done for Kendrick’s career and more importantly his person. Kendrick was a lockdown corner who not only improved his game while in Athens but worked on maturity and personal growth in his time with the Dawgs.

John Fitzpatrick

Similar to Shaffer, Fitzpatrick is also an example of homegrown talent. Before getting drafted 213th overall and playing for UGA, he attended Marist high school in Atlanta. Fitzpatrick is excited to bring his run blocking skills to his home team

The core of the 2021 National Championship team is now officially gone. And while Kirby Smart and his team have been preparing to make up for their departure all offseason, the identity of this team still has yet to truly reveal itself. We’ll just have to wait and see how the chips fall this year. But if this draft does anything, it adds to the fact that Kirby Smart is succeeding at what he was hired to do: recruit, develop, and win. This draft wraps up another historic day for the Georgia Bulldogs which just adds to their already historic year so far. 

A complete list of Bulldogs drafted follows:

First Round

1st, Travon Walker – Jacksonville Jaguars

13th, Jordan Davis – Philadelphia Eagles

22nd, Quay Walker – Green Bay Packers  

29th, Devonte Wyatt – Green Bay Packers 

32nd, Lewis Cine – Minnesota Vikings

Second Round

52nd, George Pickens – Pittsburgh Steelers

62nd, James Cook – Buffalo Bills

Third Round

83rd, Nakobe Dean – Philadelphia Eagles

102nd, Channing Tindall – Miami Dolphins

Fourth Round

122nd, Zamir White – Las Vegas Raiders

133rd, Jake Camarda – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sixth Round

190th, Justin Shaffer – Atlanta Falcons

195th, Jamaree Salyer – Los Angeles Chargers

212th, Derion Kendrick – Los Angeles Rams

213th, John FitzPatrick – Atlanta Falcons