Another NFL Draft is in the books and there's plenty that can be learned from it in regards to Georgia football. For the first time in his three years as head coach, Kirby Smart had more than one player leave early for the draft. Three of those four players were selected in the seven-round event and the other quickly signed agreed to an undrafted free agent deal afterward. It wasn't a banner year for the Bulldogs in terms of day one and two talent. Only two UGA players were selected in the first two rounds but five were taken on day three, between rounds four and seven. With seven total players drafted, it's the highest number of Bulldogs taken since eight were selected in 2013. Below, Dawgs247 takes a more nuanced look at how this draft played out and what it tells us about the current state of Georgia football. Smart and his staff can develop talent: In Smart's first year at UGA, Isaiah McKenzie was the only player drafted and he was taken in the fifth round. The next year, UGA had six players were taken overall and four inside the top 35 picks. A year later, seven Bulldogs heard their name called and two more key position players, Elijah Holyfield and Jonathan Ledbetter, signed free-agent deals soon after it was over. Of the 14 players drafted since Smart has become Georgia's head coach, only four of them are guys he signed. Mecole Hardman Jr. went the highest of those players, as he was taken No. 56 overall by Kansas City this year. Riley Ridley is next and was a fourth-round selection. Javon Wims and Isaac Nauta were seventh-round selections and Holyfield went undrafted. That makes 10 players recruited and signed by the previous staff that were developed into NFL Draft picks and four of them were first-rounders -- Roquan Smith, Isaiah Wynn, Sony Michel, and Deandre Baker. Wynn, Baker, and Smith blossomed under the new staff. Michel and Nick Chubb, who was selected No. 35 overall in 2018, were known commodities but bought into Smart's vision for the program and hung around an extra year, dramatically improving their draft stock. It's safe to say that all 14, especially the ones drafted highest, benefited greatly from learning under the UGA staff. UGA has done a lot with talent that is not quite elite: Having 13 players drafted in two years and five players in the top 35 picks is nothing to sneeze at. It's pretty impressive, but despite UGA's results on the field the past two seasons -- a combined record of 24-5 -- the NFL talent hasn't been quite on par with some other teams who haven't gotten the results. Ohio State is a glowing example. The Buckeyes have had 16 players taken the past two years. Three of them went inside the top 15, six were selected in the first two rounds, and 11 went in the first three rounds. But Ohio State hasn't made either of the past two College Football Playoffs with that talent. It has been just on the outside looking in with rock-solid results, but Georgia seems to have gotten more with less. Bulldogs have to improve on the defensive line: It has been six years since Georgia had a player drafted on the defensive line. The last was John Jenkins in the 2013 NFL Draft. That's not really Smart's fault, as he inherited a situation on the defensive line where the Bulldogs were quite thin and young. Injuries have also eaten that unit alive over the past few years. High-potential guys like Trent Thompson and DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle were nicked up most of their UGA careers. The Bulldogs got excellent play out of John Atkins for two years but his lack of versatility resulted in him going undrafted. He's currently on Detroit's roster. That has an excellent chance to change in 2020 and that's something Smart really needs. Tyler Clark has early-round potential if he can be consistent and stay healthy as a senior. Julian Rochester is also a draftable prospect, as is David Marshall, but both of those players are coming off significant lower-body injuries. Devonte Wyatt and Malik Herring are draft-eligible prospects at the end of the year and have NFL potential. The next few years should and need to be better for UGA on the defensive front.<doc-sep>The 2019 NFL Draft was a success for the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia wasn’t able to set a school record for the most players drafted, but with seven players drafted it was able to come within one of that record. Georgia finished among the elite programs in college football with the tied for fifth most players in the 2019 NFL Draft. Georgia may have even more players drafted next season and already is projected to have two players picked in the first round in 2020. Impressively, UGA had the most wide receivers drafted of any program. https://twitter.com/cfbeditssupreme/status/1122862824294842368?s=21 Congratulations to Mecole Hardman, Terry Godwin, Riley Ridley, and their WR coach Cortez Hankton. Expect Hardman to play a large role in the Kansas City passing game with the likely suspension of Chiefs’ WR Tyreek Hill. Georgia is currently on quite an impressive run of drafted WRs:<doc-sep>Seven former Bulldogs were taken in this year’s NFL Draft over the weekend while others received a shot to prove themselves in training camp during the summer. Deandre Baker, Mecole Hardman, Riley Ridley, Lamont Gaillard, D’Andre Walker, Isaac Nauta, and Terry Godwin included those selected in the draft. Below, we compiled a list of reactions across the NFL for each Bulldog selection. NFL Draft selections Deandre Baker: Giants https://twitter.com/KimJonesSports/status/1121620967678046208 3️⃣0️⃣ Deandre Baker pic.twitter.com/TVjAvpWOL6 — Front Office Sports (@frntofficesport) April 26, 2019 Lil Wayne had a special message for Deandre Baker after he was drafted 🙌 @DreBaker1_ @LilTunechi @Giants pic.twitter.com/wtPWqp4OBm — The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) April 27, 2019 Giants select CB DeAndre Baker with pick No. 30. Some considered him the top corner in the draft but he likely lasted this long because some teams had concerns about his character. — Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 26, 2019 New NYG CB Deandre Baker finished with the draft class' second-highest three-year coverage grade. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/qdflTNAV6Z — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 26, 2019 I would take @QuinnenWilliams No.1 pick tonight unless I had to have a QB and no way in hell am I passing up Deandre Baker in 1st round. He shut out dudes every week for last two years in the #SEC. #NFLDraft2019 — Rusty Mansell (@Mansell247) April 25, 2019 SEC East first round draft picks: Kentucky: Josh Allen Georgia: Deandre Baker Florida: — Wes Jackson (@wesj_42) April 26, 2019 I asked DeAndre Baker if he recalled the last touchdown he gave up at UGA. Of course he did. A 1-yard back-shoulder fade at the goal line against TCU in the Liberty Bowl in 2016. That's the only TD Baker gave up in his college career. Believes he is the best corner in the draft. — Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 26, 2019 Mecole Hardman: Chiefs https://twitter.com/MMehtaNYDN/status/1122672750190002178 Pat Mahomes gets a burner 🔥 Chiefs draft Georgia WR Mecole Hardman pic.twitter.com/EO06R9SM0K — Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) April 27, 2019 Chiefs pick Georgia WR Mecole Hardman. 4.33 40. — Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 27, 2019 New Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman has seen an 85.2 passer rating when targeted since 2017 pic.twitter.com/n8bxTajbTD — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 27, 2019 I watched Mecole Hardman torch Mizzou. He can return and take the top off a defense. Legit threat. — TOM MARTIN ™️ (@TomKCTV5) April 27, 2019 Chiefs take WR Mecole Hardman with pick No. 56. (And maybe now they'll cut Tyreek Hill.) — ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 27, 2019 OK, so Mecole Hardman is the "oh, crap, we're going to lose Tyreek Hill" pick. — Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@FO_ASchatz) April 27, 2019 Since 2017. new Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman has averaged 2.55 yards per route run – 3rd in the SEC in that time among draft class WRs. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/zxMsWts8xh — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 27, 2019 Last season, Mecole Hardman recorded 34 receptions for 532 yards & 7 touchdowns. He was a 2nd team All-SEC (return specialist) member. — Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) April 27, 2019 Mecole Hardman's third year playing wide receiver in his entire football career will be for the Kansas City Chiefs. So much untapped potential there. — Jake Rowe (@Rowe247) April 27, 2019 Mecole Hardman is different. Speed is on another level. Raw, but man you have to get excited about him catching passes from Pat Mahomes. — Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) April 27, 2019 Chiefs just drafted the closest thing to Tyreek Hill in the draft, Mecole Hardman. — Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) April 27, 2019 Riley Ridley: Bears https://twitter.com/ColinCowherd/status/1122188195406303233 Mitch Trubisky's new arsenal: Allen Robinson Taylor Gabriel Anthony Miller Riley Ridley Cordarrelle Patterson Javon Wims Tarik Cohen David Montgomery Mike Davis Trey Burton Adam Shaheen I don't recall a #Bears GM ever investing in his QB before Ryan Pace like this. — Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) April 27, 2019 NFL Network insider Daniel Jeremiah just said the Bears got a top-50 player in this draft in Riley Ridley. 👀 — Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 27, 2019 Back-to-back years the #Bears getting great value on day three of the draft with Georgia receivers. WR Riley Ridley isn't as dynamic as Calvin, but you see the same attention to detail as route-runners and that plays in the NFL. — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 27, 2019 Bears just picked Georgia WR Riley Ridley at No. 126 overall (4th round). . He's the younger bro of Calvin Ridley. More weapons for Nagy and Trubisky. — Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) April 27, 2019 Bears GM Ryan Pace does it again with Riley Ridley. Are the other teams even trying?#NFLDraft — Adam Rank (@adamrank) April 27, 2019 “Perfect fit in that offense. They just got a Top 50 player in my opinion.” – @MoveTheSticks on WR Riley Ridley to the #Bears at No. 126. — Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) April 27, 2019 The #Bears have developed a Georgia pipeline as Pace has now drafted Leonard Floyd, Roquan Smith, Javon Wims and Riley Ridley. — Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) April 27, 2019 Riley Ridley in Matt Nagy’s offense 🔥 Bears take the UGA receiver 126th overall. pic.twitter.com/ZuiBF2x3bD — Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) April 27, 2019 Ryan Pace said he was looking forward to truly drafting best player available given the Bears' clean depth chart. That seems to be the case with receiver Riley Ridley, considered a terrific value in the fourth round. — Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 27, 2019 NFL Network gushing about the Riley Ridley pick for the #Bears. — Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) April 27, 2019 Here's where a few respected draft analysts had new #Bears WR Riley Ridley: Dane Brugler- 2nd/3rd (WR8) NFL.com- 2nd/3rd (WR7) Draft Network- Late 2nd (WR) — Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) April 27, 2019 Lamont Gaillard: Cardinals Kliff Kingsbury will have some real fire power this year. Draft: 1. Kyler Murray, QB 2. Andy Isabella, WR 4. Hakeem Butler, WR 6. KeeSean Johnson, WR 6. Lamont Gaillard, C Adds to: RB David Johnson WR Larry Fitzgerald WR Christian Kirk TE Charles Clay pic.twitter.com/aNWwZQqcVl — Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) April 27, 2019 Lamont Gaillard. 2018 SEC championship game. They should legit put that tape in the adult film section. — Mike Golic Jr (@MGolicJR57) April 24, 2019 Prospects still available in my Top 100 58. S Deionte Thompson, Alabama 62. EDGE D'Andre Walker, Alabama 73. RB Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska 76. WR Stanley Morgan, Nebraska 78. WR Emanuel Hall, Missouri 89. CB Isaiah Johnson, Houston 94. iOL Lamont Gaillard, Georgia pic.twitter.com/mT235Y9djF — Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 27, 2019 With their second pick in the sixth round, the Cardinals draft a center, Lamont Gaillard out of Georgia, Ranks as the fourth-best center in the draft. — Bob McManaman (@azbobbymac) April 27, 2019 #AZCardinals finally address offensive line in the #NFLdraft, selecting Georgia center Lamont Gaillard with their second sixth-round pick https://t.co/RFuSIZngWN — azcentral sports (@azcsports) April 27, 2019 The #Cardinals are having a my kind of draft: Kyler, Isabella, Zach Allen, Deionte Thompson and now Lamont Gaillard. — Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 27, 2019 #Cardinals fans..a thread on Lamont Gaillard, a guy I loved on day 3 & someone I think has a good chance at sticking and contributing. https://t.co/e3Yx0oWNs4 — Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) April 27, 2019 D’Andre Walker: Titans Top available on the consensus board: 36. S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson 37. WR Hakeem Butler 50. CB Julian Love 51. S Deionte Thompson 52. WR Kelvin Harmon 55. LB Mack Wilson 60. CB Amani Oruwariye 67. S Amani Hooker 72. WR Riley Ridley 76. ED D'Andre Walker 83. DL Charles Omenihu — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) April 27, 2019 I was right but a few rounds early. D'Andre Walker is the pick here. For real. #Titans — Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 27, 2019 Titans select OLB D'Andre Walker at #168. Walker is a high-motor edge defender that sets the edge. He has drawn comparisons to Justin Houston. Walker adds to the group of outside LBs and was a dominant player at Georgia. A knee injury kept him from… https://t.co/fvVKLCwfLS — TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 27, 2019 Final @PFF overall rankings for the #Titans 2019 draft class: 8. Simmons 20. AJ Brown 74. Nate Davis 44. Amani Hooker 139. D’Andre Walker 120.<doc-sep>
Tight end Isaac Nauta is the sixth Georgia player off the board in the 2019 NFL Draft. The former five-star prospect was selected by Detroit with the No. 224 overall selection on Saturday. Cornerback Deandre Baker was the first Bulldog to be taken with the 3oth overall selection in the first round on Thursday. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. was the second Georgia player off the board in the 2019 NFL Draft. The former five-star prospect was selected by Kansas City with the 56th overall selection on Friday. Former four-star wide receiver Riley Ridley was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round with the No. 126 overall selection. D'Andre Walker went to Tennessee in the fifth round and Lamont Gaillard was selected in the sixth round by Arizona. There have been times in Nauta's career when he has looked like one of the most potent tight ends in the country. As a freshman, Nauta reeled in 29 passes for 361 yards and a pair of scores. Those numbers took a dip in his sophomore season as he caught just nine balls for 114 yards and two touchdowns while appearing in all 15 games. That drop in receiving production didn't seem to bother him much. He told reporters last spring that despite catching 20 fewer passes and gaining over 200 less yards, he had gotten better as a player. Becoming a more impactful blocker was a goal going into his second season as a Bulldog and he met it. As a junior, he set career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns with 30 grabs for 430 yards and three scores, third on the team in receptions and receiving yards. Nauta had emerged as arguably the most dependable target for sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm in the second half of the 2018 campaign. GET 30% OFF AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO DAWGS247 Nauta finished his career with 67 receptions for 902 yards and eight touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, Nauta graded out No. 9 overall among tight ends this season and No. 6 among Power 5 tight ends. But among draft-eligible tight ends, Nauta is fourth, ahead of potential first-round selection Irv Smith Jr. and behind only Jace Sternberger, Caleb Wilson, and Trevon Wesco. At Georgia's Pro Day, Nauta bounced back from a poor outing at the Scouting Combine and has plenty of film in a pro-style offense for teams to see what he brings to the table. "I just sent him a text message that he's got a lot of good tape out there, not to get overwhelmed with one moment, not to be disappointed with one moment or really either way," Kirby Smart said of Nauta's combine performance. "You could run a great time and have too much expectation or run a poor time, worse than what you think you should, and you still have tape out there. I know from having worked in that league, there's a lot more than just the combine at the time." Nauta is the first Bulldogs taken in the fifth round since wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie went to the Denver Broncos in the 2017 NFL Draft. (What's next for the Bulldogs? Make sure you're in the loop -- take a few moments to sign up for our FREE Bulldogs Newsletter!)