Former Bulldogs drafted later than most expected

Moses first picked; goes in third round

By: JOSH MOYNIHAN

Posted: 4/30/07

Four former Bulldogs were drafted over the weekend in this year's NFL Draft - yet it's the Bulldogs of the future that have NFL scouts' attention.

Quentin Moses was the first Georgia player drafted over the weekend. The Oakland Raiders selected him with the first pick in the third round. It was a little disappointing for Moses to go so low considering he was projected as a top 10 pick at the beginning of last year's college football season.

NFL DRAFT 2007 GEORGIA PLAYERS

Quentin Moses (DE): Round 3, Selection 65, Oakland Raiders
Charles Johnson (DE): Round 3, Selection 83, Carolina Panthers
Martrez Milner (TE): Round 4, Selection 133, Atlanta Falcons
Ken Shackleford (OT): Round 6, Selection 190, St. Louis Rams

Moses's agent, Sean Kiernan, is optimistic on his client's potential at the professional level.

"He still has that ability and upside to be made into a Pro Bowl caliber player," Kiernan said.

Moses wasn't the only Bulldog to slip from a possible early pick to a later round.

Defensive end Charles Johnson, projected as a first-rounder, fell to pick 83. The Carolina Panthers selected Johnson in the middle of the third round hoping to complement pro bowler Julius Peppers.

"It was a relief because I was waiting for such a long time," Johnson said on being drafted.

Tight end Martrez Milner was selected by the hometown Atlanta Falcons late in the fourth round. Milner will play as a backup to all-pro tight end Alge Crumpler.

In a bit of a surprise pick, offensive tackle Kendrick Shackleford was drafted in the sixth round. The St. Louis Rams selected him as the 190th overall pick. Shackleford will play opposite tackle of former No. 1 overall selection Orlando Pace from Ohio State University.

Former Bulldogs Danny Ware, Tony Taylor and Tra Battle were not selected. Those three and other former Bulldogs will have to earn a tryout and attempt to win a spot on one of the 32 NFL rosters.

Though not a completely disappointing year for the Bulldogs, better draft years may be ahead for Georgia. Cornerback Paul Oliver and linebacker Brandon Miller are projected to go early in next year's draft.