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Georgia 2021 or Miami 2001? How legendary defenses stack up in NFL Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft goes to be a PSA for the Georgia Bulldogs.
It is also going to attract some comparisons to “The U.”
Georgia’s 2021 nationwide championship group featured a nasty protection that allowed 10.2 factors per sport. The Bulldogs have 4 defensive gamers which might be projected to be first-round picks within the 2022 NFL Draft.
That hasn’t occurred for the reason that 2004 NFL Draft, during which Miami had 4 defensive gamers drafted within the first 21 picks. They have been key items on the 2001 Miami nationwide championship group.
MORE: SN’s seven-round mock draft
Which one can have the higher legacy? Let’s evaluate the 2 defenses to search out out:
2001 Miami vs. 2021 Georgia: Faculty numbers
Miami (12-0) allowed 9.8 factors per sport in 2001. The Hurricanes restricted opposing groups to 270.9 yards per sport and compelled 45 turnovers in 12 video games. They allowed seven factors or much less in eight video games. The Hurricanes allowed 27 factors to Florida State and 24 factors to Virginia Tech.
Georgia (14-1) allowed 10.2 factors per sport in 2021 (scoring was about three factors larger per group per sport than it was in 2001). The Bulldogs restricted groups to 268.9 yards per sport and compelled 21 turnovers in 15 video games. In addition they allowed seven factors or much less in eight video games. This unit’s worst sport was a 41-23 loss to Alabama within the SEC championship sport, which they avenged within the CFP championship sport.
2001 Miami: NFL Draft historical past
Here’s a take a look at Miami’s beginning protection in 2001 and the place these gamers have been chosen within the NFL Draft over the subsequent few seasons:
| POS. | PLAYER | DRAFT |
| DE | Jerome McDougle | Spherical 1, No. 15 (2003) |
| DT | William Joseph | Spherical 1, No. 23 (2003) |
| DT | Matt Walters | Spherical 5, No. 150 (2003) |
| DE | Andrew Williams | Spherical 3, No. 89 (2003) |
| LB | Jonathan Vilma | Spherical 1, No. 12 (2004) |
| LB | D.J. Williams | Spherical 1, No. 17 (2004) |
| LB | Chris Campbell | Died earlier than 2002 season |
| CB | Phillip Buchanon | Spherical 1, No. 17 (2002) |
| CB | Mike Rumph | Spherical 1, No 27 (2002) |
| S | Ed Reed | Spherical 1, No. 24 (2002) |
| S | James Lewis | Spherical 6, No. 183 (2002) |
Seven of the starters on that Miami protection have been drafted within the first spherical over a three-year stretch from 2002-03. Each starter was drafted besides Chris Campbell, who died in a automotive accident on Feb. 17, 2002.
All the secondary was taken within the 2002 NFL Draft, led by Ed Reed. The 2004 draft class featured 4 defensive gamers within the first spherical in Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams and two function gamers on the 2001 group in Vince Wilfork and Sean Taylor. Antrel Rolle, who was taken No. 8 within the 2005 NFL Draft, additionally was a contributor on that 2001 protection.
In all, 16 gamers who performed on that Miami protection have been drafted from 2002-05.
2021 Georgia: NFL Draft projections
Here’s a nearer take a look at Georgia’s beginning protection in 2021 and the place these gamers are projected to be chosen within the 2022 NFL Draft in accordance with SN’s Vinnie Iyer’s newest seven-round mock draft:
| POS. | PLAYER | SN DRAFT PROJECTION |
| DE | Devonte Wyatt | Spherical 1, No. 27 (2022) |
| DT | Jordan Davis | Spherical 1, No. 17 (2022) |
| DE | Travon Walker | Spherical 1, No. 2 (2022) |
| LB | Nolan Smith | Returning starter in ’22 |
| LB | Nakobe Dean | Spherical 1, No. 15 (2022) |
| LB | Robert Beal | Returning starter in ’22 |
| LB | Quay Walker | Spherical 2, No. 37 (2022) |
| CB | Kelee Ringo | Returning starter in ’22 |
| CB | Derion Kendrick | Spherical 3, No. 101 (2022) |
| S | Lewis Cine | Spherical 2, No. 33 (2022) |
| S | Christopher Smith | Returning starter in ’22 |
Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean and Devonte Wyatt all are projected to be first-round picks. Georgia has eight defensive gamers projected to be drafted, together with Lewis Cine, Derion Kendrick, Quay Walker and backup linebacker Channing Tindall, who’s projected to be a third-round decide at No. 96 general.
That is eight defensive gamers within the first 100 picks. The Hurricanes did not even do this.
What may make this debate attention-grabbing sooner or later is the place the opposite starters fall. Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo are projected first-round picks within the 2023 NFL Draft together with Jalen Carter, who didn’t begin final season. Christopher Smith and Robert Beal ought to get drafted, too. Ameer Pace, who break up time with Ringo, transferred to Michigan State.
BENDER: Georgia-only mock draft for 2022
2001 Miami vs. 2021 Georgia: Which protection is healthier?
It is too early, however this Georgia protection is the primary one to get into that dialog with Miami in 20 years. Alabama’s 2011 protection, which allowed 8.2 factors per sport and had a full unit of NFL gamers, additionally can be in that dialog.
That Crimson Tide group had 4 starters who have been future first-round picks in Dont’a Hightower, Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and C.J. Mosley.
Kirby Good was the defensive coordinator for Alabama then, and he constructed an enhanced model at Georgia final season. The Bulldogs have a pipeline, too, and this yr’s draft class can go toe-to-toe with “The U.” Relying on how the subsequent two drafts unfold, Georgia would possibly even be shut in draft picks.
The best reply nonetheless is “The U.” That 2001 protection had 10 first-round picks on the roster, they usually went on to profitable NFL careers. Reed was a nine-time Professional Bowl choice and is within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. Wilfork, a five-time Professional Bowl choice who received three of the 5 Tremendous Bowls he performed in, possible will be part of him. Vilma and Rolle mixed for 5 Professional Bowl choices and likewise received Tremendous Bowls. Taylor, a two-time Professional Bowl choice, died at age 24 in 2007.
How the Bulldogs fare within the NFL will decide if this turns into an actual argument.
A minimum of we now have a dialog starter, proper?