The 2024 NFL season is just over two weeks away and will officially kick off on Sept. 5 when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens in prime time. The Georgia Bulldogs are well-represented across the league, whether it be Super Bowl champion quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams or game-wrecking Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith. This piece, however, highlights a few former Bulldogs who are still establishing themselves in the league and have pivotal seasons coming up. Here are five former Georgia players with the most to prove in 2024.
James Cook, running back, Buffalo Bills
One could argue that James Cook’s “breakout” campaign already happened last year. In 2023, Cook rushed for 1,122 yards– more than he ever had in a single season at Georgia– and two touchdowns. He also added 44 receptions for 445 yards and four touchdowns. The reason he appears on this list is because there is going to be much more on Cook’s plate in 2024. Superstar quarterback Josh Allen is still in Buffalo, but he and Cook are almost all that remain of the Bills’ offensive nucleus from 2023, aside from promising second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid. Cook is going to have to shoulder a much larger share of the offensive responsibility after the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis at wideout. The opportunity is there for Cook to become Buffalo’s go-to weapon on offense.
Broderick Jones, offensive tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers
Broderick Jones has a lot riding on his 2024 performance. His strength, frame and natural talent are what made him a first round pick in 2023, and still make him a breakout candidate for 2024. The reality, however, is that Jones had an up-and-down rookie year, and this year he has downright struggled in the preseason. His major concern coming out of college was his hand usage. Jones often “punches” the defender– a move tackles do to gain control of the pass rusher– with both hands at the same time instead of using each hand independently. This poor technique often results in a lack of power, and is a big reason Jones has had a lackluster preseason. If there is no turnaround soon, Jones’ future in Pittsburgh could be something to monitor.
Azeez Ojulari, edge rusher, New York Giants
Azeez Ojulari’s NFL career has not gone the way many expected after his rookie year in 2021. That year, Ojulari played in all 17 of the Giants’ games and collected eight sacks, a franchise record for a rookie. Following that season, Ojulari was tabbed as a rising star and a potential steal by the Giants in the second round. It hasn’t exactly played out that way though. Ojulari has struggled to stay healthy since his rookie year and has been overshadowed on the roster. New York drafted another edge rusher, Kayvon Thibodeaux, fifth overall in 2022 and traded for star pass rusher Brian Burns this past offseason. All of a sudden, Ojulari is the odd man out in New York’s edge rotation. There could still be plenty of room for him to make an impact next to Burns, Thibodeaux and interior superstar Dexter Lawrence, but if Ojulari can’t get on the field and make plays soon, his days in the Big Apple could be numbered.
Kelee Ringo, cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles
Kelee Ringo is one of several former Georgia players who now play pro ball in Philadelphia, and he might be the most interesting one on the roster in terms of his 2024 outlook. The Eagles’ secondary was bottom-tier in 2023, surrendering the third-most passing yards per game in the league. That, combined with ineffective playcalling on offense, is what doomed the Eagles to a first-round playoff exit after reaching the Super Bowl the year before. Ringo has a chance to step up and improve Philadelphia’s woeful secondary, however. After spending his rookie year mostly on special teams, he’s fully in the mix for the Eagles’ starting cornerback job opposite Darius Slay. If Ringo can win the job, he could provide some much-needed new blood at cornerback and cement Philadelphia as Athens Northeast.
Travon Walker, edge rusher, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s odd to see a former No. 1 overall pick wind up on this list, but Travon Walker’s career has been unusual. He never filled up the stat sheet at Georgia, but Jacksonville liked his ridiculous athleticism, abilities in coverage and length enough to make him the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Since then, Walker has been a good-to-very good player for Jacksonville, posting 10 sacks in 2023, but fans are still waiting for him to live up to that No. 1 overall pick status. If he can make the leap from a very good player with sky-high upside into a truly elite edge rusher, Jacksonville’s defense could be terrifying. They already have uber-talented pass rusher Joshua Hines-Allen coming off of a 17.5 sack campaign, and just gave former Bulldog Tyson Campbell a lucrative extension. Walker’s true “arrival” could be the icing on the cake.
