ATHENS — There might not be more anticipated wide receiver interview and workout at the NFL combine this week than Georgia’s Riley Ridley.
The Bulldogs’ top receiver in 2018 continues to be among the more talked about underclassmen in upcoming draft class.
WATCH: Riley Ridley coached up by NFL greats Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson
Ridley is among three UGA receivers at the combine. Fellow underclassman Mecole Hardman and senior Terry Godwin are the other two receivers in Indianapolis.
The receivers will conduct their interviews on Friday and test on the field on Saturday.
Former NFL scout Bucky Brooks is the most recent analyst to projected Ridley as a first-round pick entering into the interviews and workouts.
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According to Brooks, the Oakland Raiders will select Ridley with the No. 27 overall pick.
“(Coach Jon) Gruden loves skilled route runners at receiver,” Brooks explained. “Ridley is a crafty technician with a knack for getting open and making tough catches in traffic.”
NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah rated Ridley among the top players earlier this week, slotting him at No. 29 overall.
“Ridley has good size (6-2, 200 pounds) and he’s a very polished route runner,” Jeremiah wrote. “He lacks an explosive burst in his release, but understands how to set up defenders and is very efficient at the top of his route. Despite lacking top-end juice, he creates separation with his clean footwork in/out of the break point.”
Ridley had 44 catches for 570 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Bulldogs last season.
“He has very strong hands and attacks the ball at the highest point,” Jeremiah wrote. “After the catch, he is tough, but he lacks premier burst or elusiveness. His relative lack of production is a concern, but there were a lot of mouths to feed in this offense.
“Overall, Ridley is ready to contribute right away.”
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