Tomorrow the Georgia Bulldogs will start their title defense in the College Football Playoffs against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Tomorrow's Fiesta Bowl will feature potential Eagles draft picks all over the field. With the Saints deciding to win games, the idea the Eagles getting a top 5 pick are slim, so now we have to move to some mid first round picks.
Today we are going to take a look at Georgia CB Kelee Ringo. After the 2020 season, Georgia had to replace Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes who both were drafted in the NFL Draft. Both of them were top players at their position and replacing them would be difficult. Kirby Smart goes out and gets a player who may be better than both of them.
Kelee Ringo has been scouted as possibly CB1 in this draft. He is not a perfect prospect but is it worth the risk. The Eagles are having a magical year and could still land a top 10 pick. If this is not a luxury draft pick I am not sure what is. Let's see if Kelee Ringo is the right fit for the Eagles or not!
Player Profile
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 205 lbs
Ringo is a 2-year starter for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was a highly recruited player in 2020. His senior year of high school he was one of the top RBs in the entire country as well as a track star. However, he decided to commit to Georgia and stick with defense. He redshirted his true freshman season in 2020. The decision to redshirt was the result of a torn labrum.
In his first collegiate season, he had 34 tackles and pass break ups. Ringo had 1 interception against UAB and then in the National Championship Game against Alabama, he added a 2nd interception and returned it for a touchdown. Not only did he win a National Championship, but he also added All-SEC Freshman honors.
In 2022, he has had 32 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups. To end the regular season, he was named 2nd Team All-SEC and has led Georgia to another SEC Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Strengths
Dingo is still a very young player with a lot of potential and development still needed. When you look at his height and weight, he checks the boxes of what you would want. He is big for a player at his position he plays with so much physicality. There are no issues with that part of his game. He is fully capable of taking on an offensive lineman and does not make it easy for them, he is strong enough to go toe to toe with any receiver and is physical presence anytime he is near the ball. He will blitz the QB and lower his shoulder to any RB.
Even in the running game, Ringo makes his presence known. The SEC has some of the biggest and toughest RB's in the entire country. He has great tackling ability and has shown it with some of the best RB's in the country like Alabama's Brian Robinson Jr and LSU's Kendall Milton.
When in coverage you will rarely see him give up any separation to a receiver. He has great hip flexibility and great length. Both allow him to go toe to toe with every receiver. In 2021 he locked down Jameson Williams from Alabama. He possesses great reach which helps him be disruptive when the ball is thrown his way.
Areas of Improvement
Ringo only has two years as a starter under his belt. He still has a lot of development in his game. Earlier I said he is very aggressive. Not afraid to blitz the QB, lower his shoulder on an RB, or get handsy with a WR. He sometimes can be overly aggressive, and the offense can take advantage of it. When he does get overly aggressive, he often oversteps on the receiver or locks his hips and hurts his movement.
Should the Eagles Draft Kelee Ringo?
I would not be opposed to this idea. James Bradberry is on a 1-year contract with the team and is having a year that will get him a bigger contract from another team. This opens the door for the fact that the Eagles will need to sign another outside corner to play opposite Darius Slay.
Ringo is a work in progress. He still has a lot of inconsistencies, but with good coaching he could be a Pro Bowl player one day. Many draft experts have Ringo has CB1 in this upcoming draft and as low as CB3. If the Eagles have an opportunity to get CB1, I think the Eagles should definitely consider the move.