The NFL Draft will begin on April 25, 2024. We take a look at tight end Brock Bowers, an athletically gifted player out of Georgia.
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Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Name: Brock Bowers
Jersey: No. 19
Position: Tight End
School: University of Georgia
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 243 lbs.
Entering Georgia as a four-star recruit, Brock Bowers burst onto the scene with a collegiate career that was nothing short of exceptional. He has earned numerous accolades, including being named First-Team All-SEC and a First-Team AP All-American his junior season. Most notably, he became the only player ever to win the prestigious Jon Mackey Award in back-to-back seasons, recognizing him as the nation’s top tight end. He was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award in back-to-back seasons, an award given to the best offensive linemen, which is a testament to his ability as a blocker.
The accolades don’t end there, however, as Bowers also owns the school record for most receiving touchdowns in a season, an impressive feat achieved during his freshman year with 13 touchdowns. Despite missing 4 games his junior year, Bowers led his team with 56 receptions, 714 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns, as well as five rushing touchdowns. Needless to say, he solidified his reputation as the best tight end in college football.
Through 37 career starts, he managed to amass 175 receptions, 2,538 receiving yards, and 31 total touchdowns. He managed to post such dominant numbers despite playing in just 10 games this past season.
Analysts believe Brock Bowers is “the ultimate chess piece” and has ALL-PRO PROTENTIAL, and for good reason, but…
Some people question his athleticism.
Well, here he is at 18 years old reaching nearly 22mph and destroying pursuit angles.
Generational. No question. pic.twitter.com/9inPQeWUYp
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 18, 2024
Brock Bowers’ Strengths
Bowers is an athletically gifted tight end who can play all over the field, causing mismatches for opposing defenses. Whether in-line or out wide, Bowers’ versatility stands out as one of his biggest strengths. His ability to create mismatches is a testament to his versatility and athleticism, making him a valuable asset to any offense.
An underrated aspect of Bowers’ game is his playmaking ability as a tight end. At Georgia, he averaged an impressive 8.7 yards after the catch in 2023. He’s also great at evading tackles, having forced 18 missed tackles last season, the second-highest among tight ends.
Bowers’ unique skill set allows him to be a reliable target in a variety of situations, whether it’s catching short passes and turning them into big gains with his elite playmaking ability or using his size and strength to win contested catches in the red zone. With his blend of athleticism, route running, and playmaking ability, Bowers has the potential to be a game-changer at the tight end position for the team that gets him on draft day.
Brock Bowers’ Weaknesses
One of the biggest limitations for Bowers at the next level is his size. He is smaller than your prototypical tight end as he has more of a tweener build compared to the traditional tight ends in the league. This led to him getting overpowered when blocking larger defensive linemen, which is something he will need to work on if he wants to succeed at the next level.
Another issue to keep an eye on is his injury history. He suffered a severe ankle injury last season that needed surgery and caused him to miss four games. How that will impact him at the next level remains to be seen, but given that he relies on his playmaking ability to make up for his lack of size, it’s worth keeping an eye on moving forward.
Pro Comparison: Travis Kelce
Kelce immediately comes to mind as a good comparison. Both players are undersized tight ends who make up for their lack of size at the tight end position with elite playmaking ability.
Similar to Kelce, Bowers has a great understanding of the game. He can find soft spots in the defense and become the quarterback’s best friend. Both are also willing blockers who struggle from time to time against larger defensive linemen.
Draft Projection: Top-15 Pick
In terms of pure talent alone, Bowers is a top-five layer in this draft. However, that does not mean he will be selected within the first five picks. Teams have different needs and the tight end position isn’t valued as strongly as other premium positions such as quarterback and offensive line.
Given that caveat, Bowers still looks likely to be drafted early in the first round and several teams could use his services. The Jets and Chargers are some of the top landing spots for Bowers. The Colts, who don’t pick until No. 15, represent another option. Nonetheless, the team that lands Bowers will get a great tight end with elite playmaking ability.
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