Positional value be damned. Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers is one of few elite prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Bowers is expected to be a top-10 selection in April.
The best tight end prospect since Kyle Pitts, Bowers is a physically gifted pass-catcher. The two-time National Championship winner is an outstanding athlete who is dynamic and explosive in the open field. Georgia often targeted Bowers with manufactured touches that allowed him to do post-catch damage.
The Napa, California native recorded 56 receptions for 714 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2023 despite being momentarily sidelined with injury. Bowers projects as a game-changing weapon at the next level. We've identified three ideal team fits for Bowers' services.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Chargers enter April's draft in an intriguing position. They possess the fifth overall selection after their 2023 season unexpectedly went off the rails. They already have a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. They're hiring a new head coach and assistant general manager—Michigan Wolverines' National Championship-winning Jim Harbaugh is considered a heavy favorite for the former.
I believe the Chargers will look to draft another pass-catching weapon for Herbert. A succession plan must be considered for the always-reliable Keenan Allen, and the new regime won't have ties to first-round disappointment Quentin Johnston. Mike Williams will also slowly work his back from season-ending knee surgery. Bowers would offer Herbert a go-to target while everything else sorts itself out.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Brian Daboll's Giants seriously regressed in 2023 after overachieving in 2022. The Giants captured just six victories, three fewer than they did in the previous campaign. General manager Joe Schoen must now decide what to do with the sixth overall selection.
Quarterback Daniel Jones failed to meet expectations of a four-year, $$160 million extension. The financial commitment to Jones is a sizable one that could prevent Schoen from moving on so quickly. If the Giants don't draft a quarterback, they should add a premium weapon to their offense, especially considering Saquon Barkley's future with the team hangs in the balance for a second straight offseason.
Barkley's departure would free up approximately 300 touches in Daboll's offense. Bowers is the type of reliable pass-catcher who could be targeted more than 100 times, even as a rookie. The Giants' passing attack lacks a clear-cut No. 1 option. Bowers would fill that void.
NEW YORK JETS
The Jets enter the 2024 campaign in urgent win-now mode. Aging quarterback Aaron Rodgers is returning from his season-ending Achilles injury. Rodgers will turn 41 during the season. There's no guarantee Rodgers will play past 2024.
General manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh have been retained despite experiencing a disappointing campaign. The Jets decided to extend their decision makers an olive branch as a result of Rodgers' Week 1 injury. The pressure will be on Saleh and Douglas to experience postseason success.
That's precisely why I believe they'll target an immediate contributor with the No. 10 overall selection, one that helps Rodgers. If positional value allows Bowers to slightly slip, the Jets would sprint to the podium.
