NFL Free Agency Brings Dawgs New Homes and New Contracts

The University of Georgia Bulldogs is well represented with players throughout the NFL that currently have contracts, just signed new ones, and are looking for a new home. Here is a look at what moves former Bulldogs made this offseason in the NFL.

Coach Mark Richt and Kirby Smart have done an excellent job in preparing their Bulldogs to enter the NFL and compete at a high level, but not only that, they earn themselves big contracts along the way. Former Bulldog players made waves this season/offseason, signing new contracts to continue their careers in the NFL. 

The big name that never got to test free agency was Roquan Smith. Smith, who played for Richt and Smart, was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2018 and considered one of the best ILBs in the entire NFL. When the BEars refused to pay him, they traded him to the Baltimore Ravens before he hit free agency, where he signed a 5-year, $100-million contract extension, making him the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history. Smith is a tackling machine. In just 78 games played, he has tallied 654 total tackles, 412 solos, and 242 assists. 

When Smith got traded to the Raves, he joined former Richt product OLB Justin Houston. Houston is an NFL veteran playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, and the Ravens. Houston is a proven edge rusher in the NFL. In 12 seasons, he has totaled 111.5 total sacks, also racking up 476 tackles and five interceptions. The OLB is still on the free agent market, but Pro Football Network has his "best fits" with the Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Houston's career possibly coming to a close soon, expect a one to a two-year contract to add his experience to a linebacking core that needs it. 

Two more of Richt's linebackers, Lorenzo Carter and Leonard Floyd, also hit the free agent market. Carter, the 27-year-old linebacker, was also a free agent in 2022 when he signed with the Atlanta Falcons to a one-year deal. Under then-Falcons DC Dean Pees, Carter had 58 tackles, one pick-six, and four sacks. After Pees retired, the Falcons hired former defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints, Ryan Nielsen, as their new DC. Once the Falcons locked Nielen in as their new defensive coordinator, they signed Carter to a two-year contract after a productive first season with the team. 

OLB Leonard Floyd had a spot secured with the Los Angeles Rams, but after cutting players due to cap space, Floyd fell victim to the moves made on March 10, five days before free agency started. Another NFL vet, Floyd, has played for two different teams in seven years, the Bears and the Rams. With two safeties, 47.5 sacks, and 338 tackles, the Super Bowl champ remains a free agent. 

Two of Smart's products are still free agents as well. WR Mecole Hardman from the Kansas City Chiefs and OL Isaiah Wynn from the New England Patriots. Hardman is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs. Hardman was a versatile player on the Chiefs, returning the ball in kickoffs and punt returns, running the ball in jet motion, and being a speedy receiver to pair up with Tyreek Hill. For most of the 2022 season, Hardman dealt with a pelvic and groin injury that limited his use, but after resting all of the playoffs and having an entire off-season to rest, whichever team signs the talented receiver is sure to get their money's worth. 

The Patriots drafted OT Isaiah Wynn in 2019. With 40 starts in his NFL career, seven came in the 2022 season, where Wynn played nine total games and a career-low 77% of snaps when he was an active player. With those numbers for the 2022 season, Wynn will likely move on from the Patriots and join a team needing a solid OT. NFL teams continually look for experienced offensive linemen to add to their roster, so Wynn should not be a free agent for much longer. 

It is still early into the 2023 free agency period, and there are still star players on the market like RB Ezekiel Elliott and CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, so there is plenty of time left for these former Bulldogs to sign a new contract for next season.