Kirby Smart’s Georgia program has produced elite NFL prospects at all defensive positions and along the offensive line. Nowadays, NFL teams devalue running backs, but when they do choose one early in the draft, it’s always an ex-Bulldog. Heck, UGA even had a punter (Jake Camarda) selected in the fourth round.
Smart has never had a wide receiver draughted in the first round, which is an aberration on his NFL assembly line. During Smart’s eight seasons in Athens, only one wide receiver has been named All-SEC: Ladd McConkey in 2022. The Bulldogs’ dearth of elite pass catchers on the outside should have eliminated them from national title contention. They won back-to-back championships because tight end Brock Bowers provided a loophole.
Bowers currently plays for the Raiders. He was Georgia’s leading big-play passer for three years. Carson Beck, Georgia’s quarterback, could win the Heisman Trophy this season. However, even great quarterbacks have needed top-tier pass catchers to win national championships. The absence of one could be the factor preventing the top-ranked Bulldogs from earning their third national championship in four years.
Georgia’s weaknesses would be considered assets by almost any other team in the country. But I’m comparing the Bulldogs to other national championship candidates. Even with the College Football Playoff extending from four to twelve teams, that list can practically only include six. Georgia’s peers have exceptional pass catchers, something they lack. Almost every national champion throughout the CFP era has had a top-tier wide receiver. The Bulldogs are one of the exceptions. They won consecutive championships without a future first-round pick at wide receiver. Usually, at least one is required to make it to the final game. Among the 20 teams that competed in the CFP title game, all but five had wide receivers who would be first-round picks in the NFL. The Bulldogs did not need a spectacular wide receiver to win the championship because they had Bowers, who is not your normal tight end. Bowers was agile for his stature, converting short catches into big plays. Throughout his three seasons, he led the Bulldogs in receptions of 20-plus and 30-plus yards. in Athens. That’s despite missing three games in 2023 due to injury and sitting out the Orange Bowl. With Bowers gone, it’s unclear who will make huge throw plays for the Bulldogs. Beck completed 58 passes of 20 yards or more in 2023. Bowers caught thirteen of those passes. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint had eleven. He is with the NFL’s Commanders. The Chargers selected former Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (seven catches for 20 yards or more) with the 34th overall pick. Seniors Dominic Lovett and Dillon Bell are the most likely candidates to fill the job of big play receiver for Georgia. They had 11 catches of 20 yards or more in 2023. Rara Thomas was expected to be another big-play threat, but he was released from the club.
Three weeks after being arrested on domestic abuse allegations, the Bulldogs will look for huge plays from a plethora of newcomers at wide out. The group consists of three transfer players and two freshmen. Smart recently told reporters that connecting those players with Beck had been a priority during training camp.
“You’re really trying to develop two things: Is chemistry with your number ones more important than developing your number ‘twos?’,” Smart interrupted. “At the expense of chemistry, we want depth, and we’ve done an excellent job pushing the envelope with (the young receivers) to ensure they’re on the same page with Carson.
“When you do that, you may lose some continuity or rhythm because you do not have your best players present. We’ve got to get guys ready to play who will have to play throughout the year, and then attempt to achieve that continuity here in the next week or so.”
It does not appear ideal for Smart to be juggling the responsibilities of developing chemistry and preparing inexperienced receivers. That’s the reality after Bowers and McConkey left. The Bulldogs must somehow fill the hole created by explosive plays.
Ryan Day, Ohio State’s coach, doesn’t have to worry about that. Marvin Harrison Jr. was the fourth overall choice in this year’s NFL draft, but the second-ranked Buckeyes still have Emeka Egbuka as a top wide receiver prospect. No. 4 Texas lost Xavier Worthy to the NFL (28th overall pick), but signed ex-Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond. No. 3 Oregon (Evan Stewart) and No. 6 Ole Miss (Antwane Wells Jr.) have wide receivers who could be first-round picks.
When it comes to pass catchers, the Bulldogs are hardly without talent. Pro Football Focus ranks their receiving corps as the fourth best in the country. But this is mostly due to tight ends Ben Yurosek and Oscar Delp. Yurosek accumulated 1,338 receiving yards over three seasons at Stanford, and Delp was open on 99.6% of his targets last season, according to PFF. However, neither Yurosek nor Delp are as capable of making major plays as Bowers. Bowers’ propensity to make explosive plays helped him become only the fourth tight end taken in the top 15 since 2006. His exceptional qualities explain why Smart’s Bulldogs did not require a great wide receiver to win two national championships. They may not win a third straight year unless their wide receivers make big plays now that Bowers isn’t present to exploit a gap.
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