Former Georgia product Stetson Bennett is taken into account by some experts to be a late-round pick within the 2023 NFL Draft, but one NFC exec believes certain red flags could keep the embattled quarterback off the board completely.
Speaking recently to ESPN.com, the exec stressed while Bennett “does some great things,” it’s the quarterback’s 5-foot-11 frame and off-field concerns — he was arrested for public intoxication in January — that would potentially result in an “undrafted” status.
“To me, he’s clearly higher than those other guys [in this tier]. He does some great things. But he might go undrafted,” the anonymous exec said.
“His pre-draft has not been good and there are questions on whether he’ll be the professional that you simply need out of a backup QB.”
A former walk-on at Georgia, the 25-year-old Bennett led the Bulldogs to back-to-back titles following the 2021 and 2022 seasons, including their 65-7 blowout win over TCU in January.
Later that month, Bennett engaged in a heated back-and-forth with an Atlanta radio host, who blasted the quarterback for being glued to his phone during an interview with a reporter on the team’s championship parade.
Before the month concluded, Bennett was arrested in Dallas, where he had been training ahead of the NFL scouting mix.
He accused law enforcement officials of ruining his status in newly released footage of the incident, which was obtained by TMZ.
Bennett spoke candidly in regards to the ordeal in February, expressing remorse for letting his family members down.
“It was a mistake that everyone’s aware of,” Bennett told the media on the mix in Indianapolis.
“I understand why that may’t occur. I’ve talked to coaches about it, talked to GMs. I’ve apologized to my family. That’s who I felt worse about; I felt like I allow them to down because regardless of where I am going now [people are going to know about it].
“Even without all this, I’ve got an obligation. I’m the fourth [Stetson Bennett]. You’ll be able to’t try this if you happen to’re last name is Bennett. I do know higher.”
Bennett’s draft “ceiling” is an “early day 3 [rounds four through seven],” as indicated by ESPN’s scout/exec draft range.
His “floor” goes “undrafted,” the outlet also noted.
Alabama standout Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud of Ohio State are among the many top quarterback prospects on this yr’s class.
The 2023 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 27, in Kansas City.
