Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Tuesday. Bowers announced his decision via his official social media channels. He possesses every trait necessary to be a top 10 selection in April.
Bowers battled injuries throughout the 2023 campaign, but they're not expected to impact his pre-draft stock. Bowers appeared in 10 games this season, including Georgia's SEC Championship Game defeat to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Bowers reminded scouts of his dominance with a three-game midseason streak that saw the Napa, California native record 120-plus receiving yards and four touchdowns against UAB, Auburn, and Kentucky.
Bowers was at his best throughout a two-year dominant stint across 2021 and 2022, helping Georgia capture back-to-back National Championships. Bowers totaled 119 receptions for 1,824 yards and 20 touchdowns across that time frame. Bowers is far and away the top-ranked, most pro-ready tight end prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Bowers is an explosive run-after-catch threat with rare vision and unique movement skills in the open field for a tight end prospect. The Bulldogs routinely schemed up manufactured touches for Bowers that allowed his athletic ability to shine in space. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder also possesses elite ball skills. Bowers high-points the football while dominating defensive backs and linebackers in contested-catch situations. Bowers' play strength, physicality, and body control are simply better than most defenders he encounters. Bowers’ standout traits should lead to immediate production at the next level.
The biggest challenge Bowers will encounter throughout the pre-draft process is the stigma often attached to utilizing a top-10 selection on a non-premium position. They are different prospects altogether, but some general managers will remember that the last tight end selected in the top 10, Kyle Pitts, hasn't met lofty expectations. In response, just one tight end was selected in the first rounds of the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts combined. However, neither draft featured a tight end prospect of Bowers’ caliber.
Finding ideal landing spots for Bowers within the first 10 selections isn't difficult. As of now, the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and New York Jets are all projected to conclude Week 18 with a top-10 pick. All three require a game-changing weapon in the passing game. The Chargers and Jets should especially be interested given the franchise quarterbacks they roster. Both Justin Herbert and Aaron Rodgers would benefit greatly from drafting an elite tight end like Bowers. Both franchises will also feel pressure to win in 2024, something Bowers could help them achieve.
Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Marvin Harrison Jr. are expected to be the first three players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. The draft is top-heavy with offensive talent. After the consensus top three come off the board, Bowers is in the mix to be the next player selected alongside the offensive tackle prospects (Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, JC Latham) and wide receiver prospects (Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers). Bowers' illustrious collegiate career solidified his status as a top-10 pick.
