Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch during the third quarter as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.
The New York Jets need to add an offensive tackle early on in this year’s draft is well documented, but even still, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers has been mocked to Gang Green more than a few times in recent weeks.
In fact, Mel Kiper of ESPN has Bowers going to Joe Douglas and the Jets in his latest mock draft right here.
So what does Bowers bring to the table? Let’s take a look.
Player Name: Brock Bowers
Position: Tight end
Height: 6′ 3”
Weight: 243
Combine: DNP (UGA Pro day March 13th)
Hometown: Napa, CA
High School: Napa
Class/Age: Junior, 21
Recruit: ★★★★ (Rivals.com)
Games Watched:
Auburn (2023), Kentucky (2023), Florida (2022), Kent State (2022), Oregon (2022), South Carolina (2021), Alabama (2021), Michigan (2021)
Hands: Bowers shows excellent hands on a consistent basis, catching 95% of his tagets over 3 years with Georgia, dropping just 3 balls last season.
Blocking: Arguably the top run blocker in this class, Bowers is going to improve more than just his new team’s passing game. Bowers is a better run blocker than pass blocker but has the work ethic to keep getting better as a pro.
Route Running: Bowers has quick feet and is able to create separation in a hurry.
Athleticism: Explosive at the snap and hard to bring down once he’s got the ball in his hands, Bowers gets the most out of his athletic skill set.
Versatility: Bowers played all over the formation for Georgia and will do much of the same in the NFL. He lined up on the boundary, the slot, as an in-line tight end and even running back at times.
Strength/Toughness: Bowers isn’t the biggest tight end you’ll ever see, but the power he runs with after the catch is one of the many things that make him special. He’ll immediately be one of the top yards after catch tight ends when he enters the league.
Pass Protection: Better than what most tight ends will give you but still not as good as his run blocking.
After Catch Ability: As previously mentioned, this is what makes Bowers so valuable. In today’s NFL, YAC is king and Bowers will give you more of it than any other TE in this class.
Notes:
2022, 2023 John Mackey Award Winner
2023 Unanimous All-America First Team
2022 AFCA, FWAA, ESPN, USA Today All-America First Team
2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America First Team
2021 ESPN, The Athletic, USA Today All-America First Team
Summary:
Outside of Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Bowers is the most talented non quarterback in this class. He has been mocked as high as fifth overall to the Chargers and as low as the late teens to teams such as the Bengals and Colts.
Respected draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently said that his pro comp for Bowers is all-world tight end George Kittle.
Brock Bowers would be a home run pick for the Jets at 10 if they’re able to get creative and find away to add a tackle, Garrett Wilson would have the explosive complimentary pass catcher he so desperately needs.