Georgia’s Brock Bowers is unquestionably the best tight end prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Widely considered to be an underwhelming group of talent, Bowers is the only player at his position with the genuine potential to be one of the best in the NFL. Blessed with elite athleticism, soft hands, and strength for the run games, most draft analysts expect the tight end to be a top-15 pick.
However, there is a chance that the tight end could slide on draft day. The NFL Draft is always full of twists and surprises as teams evaluate players differently than analysts and the fans at home. Tight ends in particular are difficult to predict, as the adjustment from college to the pros is arguably the second-hardest in the game (quarterback is inarguably the hardest adjustment).
With this in mind, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio believes there is a chance that Brock Bowers will drop in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rather than just falling a pick or two out of the top 15, the NFL insider believes there is a chance that the Kansas City Chiefs could select him with the 32nd overall pick.
#Chiefs are preparing for all things in the draft, including the possibility that Georgia star TE Brock Bowers could fall to the 32nd pick.
Per source: pic.twitter.com/0eIpGG1Bgc
— Chris (@chiefs_outsider) March 20, 2024
Report: Brock Bowers Could Fall In 2024 NFL Draft
Nobody knows where Brock Bowers will go in the NFL Draft, but there are not 31 players better than him in this class. While tight ends have one of the lowest hit rates among any position, the right one can singlehandedly change an offense. If any team knows this, it’s the Kansas City Chiefs. Even before Patrick Mahomes took over as the starter, Kansas City was a regular playoff team thanks in large part to their game-breaking talent.
Nobody should expect Brock Bowers – or any NFL Draft prospect, for that matter – to be as good as Travis Kelce. However, the future Hall of Fame tight end is getting up there in age, and while he looked like his old self in the playoffs, he showed some signs of slowing down in the regular season. The Chiefs should start thinking about life without Kelce, and Bowers could be a perfect replacement.
Of course, there is a reason that Florio’s report justifies an article. Brock Bowers is remarkably talented, and just about every team in the league could have a use for a player like him in the NFL Draft. Chances are, the Chiefs won’t be able to get him because one of these five teams will have used their first-round selection on the Georgia product.
Possible Team Fits
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson will be back on the field in 2024, and while the Colts have surrounded him with a decent amount of talent, they could use another playmaker. Indianapolis hasn’t had a truly reliable tight end since Eric Ebron’s 13-touchdown campaign in 2018, and Brock Bowers could be the perfect player to finally fill that void in the 2024 NFL Draft. While Michael Pittman and Josh Downs handling the wide receiver work, Bowers can step in and immediately threaten the seam and the Colts fight for a division title.
Los Angeles Chargers
Chances are, the Los Angeles Chargers will not select Brock Bowers with the fifth-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. As great as he is, he’s not better than guys like Marvin Harrison and Malik Nabers. However, if the Chargers trade back, then Bowers could be a perfect selection. Los Angeles needs all the pass-catching talent it can find, and offensive coordinator Greg Roman loves to utilize the tight end position. With a little luck, Herbert to Bowers could be the next Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews, or Colin Kaepernick to Vernon Davis.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have two of the NFL’s most dangerous players in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. What they don’t have, however, is a reliable third option. This team never found a true replacement for Mike Gesicki, and Brock Bowers can be a significant upgrade in the NFL Draft. While Gesicki was something of a one-trick pony, Bowers runs a more complete route tree and can line up inside as a blocker on run plays. Given his three-down skillset and versatile nature, he should be a natural fit for Mike McDaniel.
Cincinnati Bengals
For the time being, the Cincinnati Bengals have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the roster. However, with a Tee Higgins trade seeming more and more likely, the team should invest in a player who could be the second option on this team. While there are plenty of talented wide receivers in the NFL Draft, there is only one Brock Bowers. With Cincinnati needing a tight end, they could select the Georgia product in the first round and then take a receiver in the third.
New Orleans Saints
Last year, Derek Carr told fantasy football managers everywhere to draft tight end Juwan Johnson. The tight end responded by recording just 37 receptions for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Carr is at his best when he has a reliable tight end, and Johnson simply isn’t suited to be anything other than a depth piece. Brock Bowers would make a Day 1 impact for this team, as the NFL Draft prospect could provide a much-needed boost to a team that needs to make a playoff run in 2024.
Main Photo: Brett Davis – USA Today Sports
