The Raiders and the ‘Athens Avoidance’ Policy
The numbers don’t lie. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the title for the fewest Georgia Bulldogs drafted in NFL history. Despite being a charter member of the modern era, the Silver and Black have only called five UGA names since 1970. In fact, they didn’t even look at a Bulldog until 1999 when they took Matt Stinchcomb. While the 2024 selection of tight end Brock Bowers at 13th overall felt like a shift in strategy, the Raiders remain the most UGA-shy franchise in the league.
Not far behind are the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets. These teams haven’t just ignored the Bulldogs; they’ve practically blocked the area code. Neither franchise has ever selected a Georgia player within the first 50 picks of a draft. The Chiefs’ highest UGA investment remains Mecole Hardman, who didn’t come off the board until pick 56. When the lights turn on in April, these front offices consistently look elsewhere for depth and star power.
“I heard all the talk about the Falcons not drafting Dawgs before I got here. Once I stepped into this building, I saw the vision. They want winners. It doesn’t matter where you played, but being a Bulldog definitely prepared me for this speed.”
— Jalon Walker, Atlanta Falcons Linebacker
The Cowboy Drought and 2026 Projections
If you want to find a real “no-fly zone” for Bulldogs, look toward Arlington. The Dallas Cowboys are currently mired in a 14-year drought, having not drafted a single Georgia player since taking Shaun Chapas in the seventh round of the 2011 draft. Even with the massive production of former Bulldog George Pickens across the league, Jerry Jones hasn’t used a first-round pick on a Georgia prospect in his entire tenure as owner.
As we approach the 2026 NFL Draft next month, all eyes are on whether these trends will finally break. Monroe Freeling, the 6-foot-7 offensive tackle, is widely projected as a top-10 lock. If a team like the Raiders or Cowboys passes on him, it will only fuel the fire for fans in the Peach State who believe certain scouts simply don’t have Athens on their GPS. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles continue to lead the way with 27 total Bulldogs drafted all-time, proving that some teams know exactly where the gold is buried.
