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How Georgia football players in the NFL performed in Week 1

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) scores on a 15-yard touchdown reception against Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) scores on a 15-yard touchdown reception against Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books and there were several former Georgia Bulldogs that shined as NFL action returned. Georgia has 45 players on active rosters in the NFL, nine players on practice squads and three players (including Nick Chubb) on reserve.

NFL teams love former Georgia Bulldogs. A total of 33 former Dawgs have been selected over the past three NFL drafts.

"You know, it's unfortunate because the feedback we get from the NFL is there's nowhere they'd rather have players than here developing," said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart at his weekly press conference.

We look to examine how five former Georgia football standouts performed to begin the 2024 NFL season.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Result: Overtime loss at Detroit Lions 26-20

In his third time playing the team that took him first overall, Stafford balled out again, with 317 yards, a touchdown, and an interception for an 85.2 passer rating. He earned a spot on this list for his second half. Stafford's first half was dreadful, leading the Rams to only three points and throwing an interception when they were driving. In his second half, he threw 201 yards and led the Rams to a massive comeback, tying it with a touchdown to Cooper Kupp early in the fourth quarter. However, he couldn't execute the drive to win, and in overtime, the Lions ran all over the Rams defense to lose the game.

Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs with the ball between Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe (44) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs with the ball between Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe (44) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

James Cook, Buffalo Bills

Result: Win vs. Arizona Cardinals 34-28

Many Buffalo fans will thank Josh Allen for his heroics in this nailbiter against the Cardinals, but Cook deserves his props. Cook had 71 yards rushing on 19 carries, which is below average at 3.7 yards per attempt, but he salvaged his day with 32 receiving yards on three receptions.

Sep 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) makes a catch in front of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) makes a catch in front of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers

Result: Win at Atlanta Falcons 18-10

Pickens has been a candidate to break out for a while. With better QB play, he was expected to potentially be a Pro Bowl receiver. In Week 1, he lived up to the hype, totaling 85 yards on six receptions. It would've been even more had the Steelers not committed a penalty on a 46-yard bomb from Justin Fields.

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) celebrates with tight end Hayden Hurst (88) after scoring on a 15-yard touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) celebrates with tight end Hayden Hurst (88) after scoring on a 15-yard touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

Result: Win vs. Las Vegas Raiders 22-10

The Chargers stuck with a run-heavy game plan under Jim Harbaugh, so the Chargers only had 144 passing yards. However, former Bulldog Ladd McConey still shined, leading with 39 receiving yards and a touchdown in his debut. He looks like one of the top two receivers on the Charger's depth chart and could potentially lead the team in receiving yards

Sep 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars

Result: Loss vs. Miami Dolphins 20-17

Walker has had high expectations since being picked 1st overall in 2022. In this week, he's lived up to the billing, racking up six tackles, one tackle for loss, and sacking former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa twice. He could be in the running for DPOW with this performance. Unfortunately, it couldn't prevent the Jaguars from blowing a 17-point-lead to the Dolphins.

This article originally appeared on Bulldogs Wire: How Georgia football players in the NFL performed in Week 1