Georgia Football All-Time First-Round NFL Draft Picks

Georgia has become a powerhouse under current coach Kirby Smart, claiming national championships in 2021 and 2022. It isn’t the first time the Bulldogs have been top dogs in college football, though.

Over the years, the Georgia program has produced an incredible number of NFL Draft picks. As of the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft, a total of 378 players had been selected by NFL teams. Of those 378 players picked, an impressive 48 of them have gone in Round 1.

Since Smart took over in 2016, the first-round picks total has skyrocketed — a testament to Smart’s tireless efforts on the recruiting trails and his staff’s elite player development skills. Starting with the 2017 NFL Draft, Georgia has produced 17 first-round draft picks, including Travon Walker, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Here’s a look at all 48 first-round picks to come out of the University of Georgia (as of the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft):

Georgia No. 1 Overall Draft Picks

The Bulldogs have produced 5 total No. 1 overall draft picks. That puts Georgia tied for second overall. USC has produced 6 No. 1 overall picks, with Georgia, Notre Dame and Oklahoma boasting 5 apiece.

Here’s a look at the 5 No. 1 overall picks who played their college football careers in Athens:

The NFL Draft began in 1936, and it took less than a decade for Georgia to produce its first No. 1 overall pick. In the 1943 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected halfback Frank Sinkwich with the first pick. Sinkwich was the SEC Player of the Year in 1942 and also won the Heisman Trophy that season. In 1944, he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.

In 1953, end Harry Babcock was the first player chosen in the draft. He was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers, but didn’t make much of an impact. He played only 3 professional season. He caught 16 passes for 181 yards with 0 career touchdowns.

Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at the remaining 3 Georgia players to hear their names called first in the NFL Draft:

Charley Trippi, HB — No. 1 overall, 1945 NFL Draft (Chicago Cardinals)

Charley Trippi was Georgia’s second No. 1 overall pick in 1945. Trippi was selected No. 1 overall in the 1945 NFL Draft by the Chicago Cardinals, but didn’t turn pro right away. In fact, after serving in the military during WWII, Trippi was allowed to return to college for the 1945 and 1946 seasons.

Trippi, in addition to being one of the best players in Georgia history, quickly made his mark on the NFL. He led the Chicago Cardinals to the NFL title in 1947, his first year in the pro ranks. Trippi is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and is also in the College Football Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 100.

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Charley Trippi on the sidelines with Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill against the Detroit Lions game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Travon Walker, Edge — No. 1 overall, 2022 NFL Draft (Jacksonville Jaguars)

This pick was far from unanimous. Many felt Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson should have been the first pick, and those who were in the pro-Hutchinson camp have plenty of ammunition for their case. Walker has more total tackles (101 to 70) than Hutchinson through 2 seasons, but Hutchinson has a big-time edge in sacks (21 to 13.5).

Walker hasn’t been a bust. Far from it. He’s a very useful player on the Jacksonville defense, but there’s a case to be made that he has underperformed as a No. 1 overall pick.

Georgia’s other No. 1 overall pick during the modern era of the NFL Draft was much less controversial.

Matthew Stafford, QB — No. 1 overall, 2009 NFL Draft (Detroit Lions)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces quarterback Matthew Stafford (Georgia) as the number one overall pick to the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Stafford is potentially on a Hall of Fame trajectory. He holds almost every passing record for the Detroit Lions. You name it — touchdowns, completions, attempts, yards, game-winning drives — Stafford’s name is atop the list.

No, the Lions didn’t have much success under Stafford after making him the No. 1 overall pick in 2009, but that was more of an issue with the team around him. Stafford played 12 seasons in Detroit, surpassing 4,000 passing yards 7 times. He also had a 5,000-yard season in 2011.

In 2021, Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. He immediately led his new team to a Super Bowl title, besting the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Though Stafford had a good game in that Super Bowl, completing 26 of his 40 pass attempts for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns, he also threw 2 interceptions. Thus, the Super Bowl MVP award went to WR Cooper Kupp, who made 8 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Still, it’s clear the trade for Stafford as a big-time boost for coach Sean McVay and the Rams as they made their run to a Super Bowl title.

Other Notable Picks

AJ Green, WR — No. 4 overall, 2011 NFL Draft (Cincinnati Bengals)

Green was one of the most impactful receivers of the 2010s. Between 2010 and 2019, Green ranked fifth among all NFL pass catchers in receiving yards (8,907) and ranked sixth in touchdown catches (63). He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 7 NFL season, all with the Bengals. He joined the Arizona Cardinals for 2 seasons (2021-22) to end his career, but he’ll go down in history as an all-time great Cincinnati Bengal.

Champ Bailey, DB — No. 7 overall, 1999 NFL Draft (Washington Redskins)

When having a discussion about the best cornerbacks in NFL history, it doesn’t take long for Bailey’s name to be mentioned. Though he isn’t in the top 20 all-time with 52 interceptions, he was a shutdown cornerback in every definition of the word. He’s the NFL’s all-time leader in passes deflected, with 203 in his impressive career.

He spent the first few years of his career in Washington, but perhaps made his biggest impact in Denver from 2004 to 2013. He made 12 Pro Bowls and is a member of both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fames. He’s also in the Denver Broncos’ Ring of Fame.

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 14 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.