Teams around the NFL wrapped up mandatory minicamp last week with several former Georgia players standing out. All eyes are on the rookies in this type of setting, seeing them interacting with their new teammates and league veterans for the first time. How they fare is the fodder for offseason discussion and first-season expectations, and based on the early returns, there could be a few Bulldogs that make an instant impact with their new teams.
It likely comes as no surprise, but Brock Bowers has impressed in his first few outings with the Las Vegas Raiders. Three-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams is excited about getting another explosive threat to the offense for the Raiders, to the point that Bowers has already earned a nickname.
“That’s the ‘Business Man.’ He doesn’t care about nothing else other than just locking in on football,” Adams said about Bowers per ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “I tried to tell a joke to get him to laugh, talking to the rookies. Sitting there stone-faced, he didn’t laugh. That’s BM right there. I see what he’s about.”
Within the same division, another Georgia pass catcher is turning heads. Los Angeles Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey has jumped in and stood out. Franchise quarterback Justin Herbert and offensive coordinator Greg Roman both already see McConkey as a big part of their plans for 2024 and beyond.
“I’m very excited about Ladd,” Roman said. “We know the physical traits – the speed, the quickness, the ability to change direction and catch the ball, make plays with the ball in his hands. But just how he’s picking things up and how he works at it every day. It’s just such a great attitude, his attention to detail. He’s up in the coaches office late in the afternoons (and) early evenings, you know, trying to talk about a few things that happened that day and get clarity on it. Just those are the kinda things you look for and he’s really displaying them. (He’s) picking things up quick.”
“He’s just picked up the offense so easily. It’s like he’s been a four or five-year vet,” Herbert added. “He understands the game, he understands leverage. He’s a smart player, he’s very athletic. He can beat man coverage, find the soft spot in zones.”
Bowers’ fellow first round pick Amarius Mims also took advantage of the opportunities for him during OTAs. With Cincinnati Bengals first-team offensive tackle Trent Brown not present for the full time, Mims was thrust into the lineup. He’ll likely be a backup to both of the Bengals veteran offensive tackles (Trent Brown and Orlando Brown), but don’t be surprised if he gets chances too.
“Consistently doing it over training camp and blocking people and being able to react very quickly,” head coach Zac Taylor said about Mims and what comes next for him. “That’s the part that I’m excited [about] — to see how he handles all that.”
Of course, there are the Dawgs on the defensive side of the ball too. Kamari Lassiter (Houston Texans) and Javon Bullard (Green Bay Packers) were both taken in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Landing in spots that provide them with what could be early playing time, each has proven themselves capable early on.
“I’ve been so amazed by him, man,” Rookie of the Year Will Anderson said about Lassiter, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC. “He’s been making plays left and right all over the field. He’s electric, man. Another young guy that we can’t wait to keep seeing grow and stuff like that. And I think he can do great things for this defense and be a part of something special that we have going on here.”
“He’s a sharp guy,” former Boston College head coach and new Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley told reporters about Bullard. “His ability to learn and process in those two days [of rookie minicamp] was impressive. You get a guy who can play that fast and can take what he learned in the meeting room and bring it out to the field, and he’s got a chance … Just loved his tape. Loved the way he played. He’s a physical guy. He can run, he can cover, he can play deep, he can play in the slot, he can blitz. He’s bigger when you see him.”
There’s a long way to go for the former Georgia stars if they want to become successful NFL players, but from the look of things, the first steps have been taken. Next up will be an offseason of work, training camp and preseason football before the league’s season gets underway in September.
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