Alabama and Georgia produced 20 NFL Draft picks in 2023, including six first-rounders. Saturday's SEC Championship Game between the No. 8 Crimson Tide (11-1) and No. 1 Bulldogs (12-0) will have roughly the same number, including several who will go in the first round. Here is a closer look at the 10 best draft-eligible players in the title game:
Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold | NFL comp: Bears CB Kyler Gordon | His 25-yard interception return for a touchdown in the waning seconds of the Iron Bowl didn't count, but that should serve as a reminder for Georgia to look elsewhere when passing Saturday. Per Pro Football Focus, he's only allowed 35 receptions on 65 targets (53.8 percent) for 395 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck | NFL comp: Lions QB Jared Goff | Through the first 12 games, Beck has more passing yards (3,495), touchdown passes (22) and a higher completion percentage (72.4) than two-time national championship-winning quarterback Stetson Bennett had at this time last season. Beck's comfortability with the offense was never more evident than in the team's 31-23 win over Georgia Tech. He stood tall in the pocket and delivered a perfect ball to wide receiver Dominic Lovett on a 29-yard first-quarter touchdown. Later, he walked in the park while executing an end around in the third quarter.
.@carsonbeck01 finds @dominiclovett2 for a 29-yard TD.
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 26, 2023
Watch live on ABC#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/zgi4i6jkEY
When I tell you Carson Beck is that dude.... The calmness and poise with how he played that off was perfection! Talk about composure! That's my QB1! ❤️ #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/kpJg1koaIT
— JByrd | ❤️ | | (@CuteJByrd) November 26, 2023
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers | NFL comp: 49ers TE George Kittle | A potential top-10 pick in April's draft, Bowers has been used in many ways — including as a running back on end arounds and jet sweeps, as an in-line run blocker and lined up in the slot and out wide as a receiver. His versatility makes him one of the biggest matchup nightmares in college football. However, an ankle injury has limited Bowers to nine games this season and could impact his availability in the SEC Championship Game.
Alabama edge-rusher Chris Braswell | NFL comp: Chiefs DE George Karlaftis | The four-year senior had the biggest play in a 34-20 win over Tennessee, sacking QB Joe Milton and causing a fumble that led to a scoop-and-score.
— go to ➡️ collegefootballnetwork.com (@PickettsPool) October 21, 2023
Braswell is tied for the team-high in sacks (eight) and also has the Tide's only official pick-six of the season on a 28-yard score against Mississippi State.
Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter | NFL comp: Saints CB Paulson Adebo | The junior defensive back leads Georgia with eight passes defended. Per PFF, among the 117 corners with at least 350 coverage snaps in 2023, Lassiter has allowed the fourth-lowest completion percentage (42.5 percent) when targeted.
Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham | NFL comp: Lions OT Penei Sewell | Crimson Tide right tackle Latham has only allowed one sack and nine total pressures in 365 opportunities this season. The 6-foot-6, 335-pound Latham (No. 65) demonstrated his brute force on this tone-setting run-block on the first play from scrimmage against Mississippi State, driving the defender nearly five yards back on Jase McClellan's 12-yard run.
Film Room coming in the morning.
— Austin Hannon (@austinhannon_) October 2, 2023
This is the first play from scrimmage. Look at JC Latham set the tone from the jump. pic.twitter.com/WP5SHPLKVd
Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey | NFL comp: Commanders WR Jahan Dotson | As with other top Georgia NFL Draft prospects, injuries have limited McConkey this season. He suffered an ankle injury against Ole Miss on Nov. 11 and was described as "day-to-day" by Smart on Sunday. When healthy, however, he has been a difference-maker, averaging a career-high 16.1 yards per catch.
Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry | NFL comp: former NFL CB Aqib Talib | Per PFF, Alabama's other standout corner has only allowed 16 receptions on 36 targets (44.4 percent). He has forced an incompletion on 25 percent of his targets, tied with Lassiter and Arkansas State's Samy Johnson for the fourth-highest forced incompletion rate among corners with at least 350 coverage snaps.
Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims | NFL comp: Eagles OT Jordan Mailata | The Bulldogs right tackle moves better than a 6-foot-7, 340-pound human should, as he showed when he got out in front of wide receiver Dillon Bell on a screen pass and laid a big block on a helpless Georgia Tech defender.
Amarius Mims pic.twitter.com/eDLYuYZCdW
— Dayne Young (@dayneyoung) November 26, 2023
Wearing No. 77 against Tennessee, he sent Tennessee edge-rusher Roman Harrison in the air horizontally before right guard Tate Ratledge finished him for the best block of the season.
Eyes on @tateratledge22 & @amarius_mims pic.twitter.com/dLoitsa2mJ
— Brooks Austin (@BrooksAustinBA) November 19, 2023
Alabama edge-rusher Dallas Turner | NFL comp: Panthers DE Brian Burns | Credited with 50 pressures this season by PFF, Turner is a potential game-wrecker in the NFL. He has excellent speed and ability to change direction.
On this fourth-quarter sack against Auburn, he began the play at the top of the screen and lined up against Auburn's left tackle. On the snap, he cut inside to rush the quarterback, forcing Payton Thorne outside the pocket before chasing him down for the sack.
Dallas Turner is so bendy and flexible. Relentless in pursuit and even looks comfortable in space as a pass defender. Saw one snap on Saturday where he was asked to follow motion across the formation (I’ll try to find it). Got picked on the play, but that’s trust right there. pic.twitter.com/Fmir33zxxz
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) November 28, 2023
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