Isaiah McKenzie top prospect in shallow UGA NFL draft pool (original) (raw)

Isaiah McKenzie made a late decision to go to Georgia before signing day in 2014.

He knew then the school had produced NFL first rounders in wide receiver A.J. Green and linebacker Jarvis Jones but didn’t know of the program’s rich draft history.

It’s a program with seven first-round picks since 2009 and one that has had a player selected the last 24 years since it was shut out in 1992.

McKenzie, the dynamic wide receiver/punt returner who declared for the draft after his junior season, hopes this isn’t the year that ends.

Getting selected in the draft—which runs Thursday through Saturday—would be the “icing on the cake,” the Miami native said.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper said this week he sees McKenzie being drafted in the third or “at worst” the fourth round, but that projection is an outlier. NFLDraftScout.com’s Rob Rang views McKenzie as a sixth or seventh round pick as does the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. Draft analyst Mike Detillier of M&D Draft Report sees McKenzie as the one Bulldog that he feels confident will be picked.

“Getting drafted, I’d really enjoy that,” McKenzie said. “I hope so.”

The fewest Georgia players taken since 1992 was two in 2014 when tight end Arthur Lynch and Aaron Murray went in the fifth round and 2000 when linebacker Orantes Grant and running back Patrick Pass were selected in the seventh round.

The Bulldogs had five players go in 2016 and 2015 including first round picks Leonard Floyd in 2016 and Todd Gurley in 2015.

The Bulldogs figure to have their share of prospects in 2018 with the likes of running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, safety Dominick Sanders and outside linebackers Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy and draft-eligible players like Trenton Thompson, Roquan Smith and Jonathan Ledbetter.

“I’m glad those guys are back and able to help us,” coach Kirby Smart said at Georgia’s Pro Day referring to juniors that returned. “Those guys will obviously have their opportunity next year and are working towards that every day.”

In this year’s draft, the 5-foot-7, 173-pound McKenzie seems to be the likeliest Georgia player to be drafted.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has called McKenzie “an interesting Day 3” prospect. He ranks him as the No. 152 overall player and has offensive lineman Greg Pyke at No. 264. There are 253 picks in this year’s draft.

Steve Palazzolo, senior analyst at Pro Football Focus, sees McKenzie as the best bet of Georgia players to be drafted, but not until the late rounds.

“He may end up as an undrafted free agent.,” he said. “He’s an ok slot option who can do some damage on trick plays and in the return game.”

The NFL Network listed McKenzie as the No. 4 return threat.

“He’s got some juice as a returner,” analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “That’s exactly where you plug him in and he has a chance to make it there.”

“His dynamic quickness and acceleration make him a big play specialist capable of making a roster as primarily a returner,” Rang said. “McKenzie is raw as a route-runner, however, and his size limits him to slot duties in the NFL.”

McKenzie holds the school record with five punt return touchdowns and led Georgia last season with 44 catches for 633 yards and seven touchdowns.

“People say he’s small, diminutive, hey this league, the NFL now, is about guys that can do exactly what he brings to the table,” Kiper said.

Detillier calls it the “Tyreek Hill effect” referring to the 5-10 Chiefs’ receiver/returner, a fifth round pick last year who scored 12 touchdowns and had 61 catches as a rookie.

“Everybody’s looking for the next Tyreek Hill,” Detillier said. “You look at McKenzie, he’s got some of those traits to him with great foot speed and the ability to return both punts and kicks.”

Detillier sees Pyke and center Brandon Kublanow as possible late round picks.

The 6-foot-6-330-pound Pyke started at guard and tackle. He expects to play inside in the NFL and has even trained at center. Kublanow started three seasons at center.

Rang said Pyke, Kublanow and offensive lineman Tyler Catalina could be late round picks or priority free agents.

“Each are durable, powerful and battle-tested in a pro-style scheme but have athletic limitations,” he said.

Although the 6-3, 293-pound Kublanow lacks ideal size, center is considered weak in this draft, Rang said.

“Catalina’s experience in two offenses helps his projection as it demonstrates his football intelligence, competitiveness and versatility,” Rang said. “Pyke’s grit and toughness are also calling cards that will earn him a shot. He fits best at right guard in a traditional power-based scheme at the next level.”

Among others that may fall into the priority free agent category are safety Quincy Mauger and defensive back Maurice Smith.

Catalina, the 6-foot-6, 330-pound graduate transfer, played tackle at Georgia but has trained to play inside at the next level. He said plenty of teams have shown interest.

“Hopefully if my name gets called during the draft,” Catalina said, “it may be that team’s best decision they ever made.”