The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

HEAVY GEORGIA FLAVOR

NFL brass will get a good look at Dogs, state players.

- By D. Orlando Ledbetter dledbetter@ajc.com

The scouting combine — the NFL’s pre-draft track meet, medical and personalit­y testing bonanza — has started at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapol­is. There will be plenty of players with local ties among the more than 300 participan­ts.

Players will start medical exams today while team executives address the media. Player drills start Thursday.

Ohio State and Alabama are tied among college teams for most players invited with 11. Georgia is in the next group with 10 players trying to improve their draft position.

Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith is likely to be the first Bulldog called during the NFL draft, April 26-28 in Arlington, Texas.

N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb, who played at Hillgrove High, and LSU outside linebacker Arden Key, who played at Hapeville Charter Academy, are also potential first-round picks with local ties.

“I love Roquan Smith,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “I think he’s today’s NFL offthe-ball linebacker, and it’s mostly about speed. He’s 225 pounds. Deion Jones was drafted in the second round in Atlanta two years ago. He’s the prototype. I think Roquan Smith takes it a step farther. A very similar-type guy. I love the way he plays.”

Mayock projects Smith as a first-round pick. He could go in the Top 10.

“Roquan Smith would be the centerpiec­e to (the Raiders)

defense inside,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. “That’s what they need in Oakland. They have Khalil Mack as the outside threat. They need an inside presence, which Roquan would be.”

Chubb is considered the top pass-rusher in the draft and could go as high as third to the Colts. “He’s the best (pass rusher) by miles,” Kiper said. “If Chubb is there, it would be hard (for the Colts to pass on him.) They have a strong need and this is a bad, bad year for down defensive ends.”

Key, who had some discipline issues at LSU, could be a late firstround­er. He is “a really talented kid with some off-the-field issues,” Mayock said. “His character has to be checked, but he’s gifted.”

Georgia running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb are fine NFL prospects, who’ll likely go after Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and LSU’s Derrius Guice.

“The more I watch Sony Michel, the more I think Sony Michel can make an impact like (the Saints’) Alvin Kamara in the run game,” Mayock said. “I think he has burst, accelerati­on and better toughness than people think.”

“What he doesn’t have yet is the pass-game ability that Kamara did,” Mayock said. “I think he’s got good hands, but I’m not sure because they didn’t throw it too him much. I know he didn’t run great routes. Just check-downs and flare screens.”

There are other concerns about Michel, too. “Ball security with Michel (is an issue), the fumbles,” Kiper said. “He’s got to clean that up.”

Nick Chubb is a fit for teams, like the Falcons, who run the outside-zone run scheme. He is “one of the toughest running backs in this class,” Mayock said.

Georgia defensive ends Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy will likely play linebacker in the NFL.

“I like Carter,” Mayock said. “I think Carter is going to go on the second day of the draft. He’s got almost the same size as Leonard Floyd. His production wasn’t the same. He needs to get stronger, as does Bellamy.” Mayock is also high on Bellamy. “I think Bellamy has more upside than what people give him credit for,” Mayock said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a fourth-rounder or so.”

Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup of Monroe is part of a deep and talented wide receiver group that will participat­e in the scouting combine. Kiper projects him as a third-round draft pick. After his strong showing at the Senior Bowl, “If he has a good combine, the second round is not out of the realm of possibilit­y.”

Other players with Georgia connection­s invited to the scouting combine: Jordan Akins, Central Florida, tight end (Locust Grove); Orlando Brown, Oklahoma, tackle (Peachtree Ridge); Justin Crawford, West Virginia, running back (Columbus, Hardaway); Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech, cornerback (Newnan Northgate); Rashard Fant, Indiana, cornerback (Our Lady of Mercy); Colby Gossett, Appalachia­n State, offensive line, (North Forysth); Grant Haley, Penn State, cornerback, (The Lovett School); Christophe­r Herndon, Miami, tight end, (Norcross High); Justin Jones, N.C. State, defensive tackle, (South Cobb); Tracy Walker, Louisiana-Lafayette, defensive back, (Brunswick); Georgia defensive lineman John Atkins, defensive back Dominick Sanders, defensive lineman Trent Thompson, wide receiver Javon Wims and offensive guard Isaiah Wynn; Georgia State defensive back Chandon Sullivan; and West Georgia offensive lineman Des Harrison.

 ?? CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM ?? Linebacker Roquan Smith (3) probably will be the first Bulldogs player selected in April. “I think he’s today’s NFL off-the-ball linebacker, and it’s mostly about speed,” says NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.
CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM Linebacker Roquan Smith (3) probably will be the first Bulldogs player selected in April. “I think he’s today’s NFL off-the-ball linebacker, and it’s mostly about speed,” says NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.
 ?? DARRON CUMMINGS / AP FILE ?? N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb, who played at Hillgrove High, is considered the best pass rusher in the draft. Chubb could go as high as No. 3 to the Colts.
DARRON CUMMINGS / AP FILE N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb, who played at Hillgrove High, is considered the best pass rusher in the draft. Chubb could go as high as No. 3 to the Colts.
 ?? CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM ?? UGA linebacker Lorenzo Carter (from left), running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel and linebacker Davin Bellamy were all invited to the NFL combine. UGA will have 10 players in Indianapol­is. Alabama and Ohio State are the only schools with more...
CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM UGA linebacker Lorenzo Carter (from left), running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel and linebacker Davin Bellamy were all invited to the NFL combine. UGA will have 10 players in Indianapol­is. Alabama and Ohio State are the only schools with more...
 ?? MARCO GARCIA / AP FILE ?? Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup, who is from Monroe, had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and could improve his draft stock at the combine this week.
MARCO GARCIA / AP FILE Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup, who is from Monroe, had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and could improve his draft stock at the combine this week.

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