Brock Bowers' NFL Draft Stock Faces Uncertainty Due to Tight End Position

Brock Bowers, the standout tight end who led the Georgia Bulldogs to two national championships, is expected to be one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, his position as a tight end may lead to him being drafted lower than his talent would suggest, as NFL teams have historically been hesitant to use high draft picks on tight ends.

Despite Bowers' impressive college career, in which he won the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in back-to-back seasons and led Georgia with 56 receptions, 714 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in 2023-24, there are concerns about where he will be selected in the draft. Several mock drafts have Bowers going in the middle to late first round, with the New York Jets and Denver Broncos as potential landing spots.

The 2024 NFL Draft is anticipated to showcase a wealth of talent, particularly at the quarterback and wide receiver positions. Several top quarterback prospects, including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, could be selected early, and there are concerns that there may not be enough top-end quarterbacks to go around, leading to teams potentially overpaying to move up and secure one. Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is considered a potential top pick at wide receiver.

While Bowers has impressive physical abilities, the NFL has a history of finding mid- and late-round tight end draft steals, with All-Pro players like Travis Kelce and George Kittle not being first-round picks. The high miss rate on first-round tight ends and the success of value picks at the position raises questions about the NFL's scouting at tight end. Bowers' case is similar to that of Kyle Pitts, who was the highest-drafted tight end in history but has struggled to justify his draft status.

Why this matters: Bowers' draft prospects highlight the ongoing debate about the value of tight ends in the NFL and how teams should approach drafting them. His potential landing spot could also have significant implications for the success of his future team, particularly if he ends up with a contender like the Jets.

As the draft approaches, the New York Jets are considered the favorites to select Bowers with the 10th overall pick, viewing him as a versatile 'Swiss Army knife' weapon who can create mismatches. The Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals are also seen as potential landing spots. While Bowers' unique functional strength and ability to impact the offense in multiple ways could make him an exception to the trend of tight ends sliding in the

Key Takeaways

• Brock Bowers, Georgia's standout TE, expected to be top 2024 NFL Draft prospect.
• Bowers' position as TE may lead to lower draft selection than his talent suggests.
• 2024 NFL Draft to showcase talent at QB and WR, with Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr. as top prospects.
• NFL has history of finding mid/late-round TE steals, raising questions about scouting at the position.
• Jets, Colts, and Bengals seen as potential landing spots for Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft.