Devonte Wyatt NFL Draft Overview
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 305 pounds
Position: Defensive Tackle
School: Georgia
Devonte Wyatt 2022 NFL Draft Profile
A stalwart and a staple of that vaunted Georgia defensive line, Devonte Wyatt really made a name for himself during their CFP National Title run. His run as a stud four-star recruit to potential first-round pick was not without adversity. Coming out of high school, Wyatt was committed to play for Georgia but was ruled academically ineligible. In order to continue to play and make sure that he gained eligibility, Wyatt enrolled at Hutchinson Community College where he broke out with 30 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and three sacks. After gaining eligibility, Wyatt officially enrolled at Georgia in 2018.
Immediately, Wyatt was an integral piece of the Georgia defensive line rotation. Over his first two years in Athens, Wyatt appeared in 20 games. In that time, he racked up 49 tackles, three for loss, 2.5 sacks, and recovered a fumble. His first season as a starter was 2020 and he finished with very similar numbers as his previous year. Wyatt amassed 25 tackles and two were for loss. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wyatt received a free year of eligibility, which he used in 2021. After dominating to the tune of 39 tackles, seven for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a recovered fumble, Wyatt earned First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team All-American honors.
Wyatt enters the draft with good odds to be selected in the first round to go with a his National Championship. On a Georgia defense that could boast five first-round talents, Wyatt was a member of an all-time great unit and showed out.
Strengths
- Elite first step off the ball;
- Has solid body control and flexibility;
- Serious motor, gives 100% every play;
- Great at penetrating and splitting linemen;
- Can stunt and cross gaps surprisingly well for his size;
- Can line up anywhere and was often asked to do so;
- Stood out on a defensive line with other elite players.
Weaknesses
- Can be overtaken easily if late off the snap;
- Less-than-ideal length;
- Hand placement consistency needs work;
- Can be taken out of plays with double-teams;
- Only truly dominated in his fifth year;
- 24 years old.
NFL Comparison: Kenny Clark
Teams With a Need at Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys
Projection: Late First Round/Early Second Round
Bottom Line on Devonte Wyatt
During the Senior Bowl, Wyatt was a standout, dominating offensive line prospects left and right. While the concern is due to the fact that it took him until his redshirt senior season to truly dominate, he progressed year by year.
Wyatt is likely to be taken anywhere between picks 25 and 40. There is concern about his age that has some taking him off of their first-round boards completely, but he is a plug-and-play 3T that will be able to make an impact right away. His positional versatility is a positive for NFL teams. However, the scheme that Georgia ran make is difficult to truly ascertain Wyatt’s — and, by extension, his teammates’ — ability to translate to the next level. Overall, Wyatt is a great athlete, scoring a 9.59 RAS, and will be a very solid defensive tackle in the NFL. Any team at the end of the first or beginning of the second round will be very satisfied with Wyatt’s abilities.
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