Versatile TE Bowers among draft’s more intriguing storylines

Published 1:06 pm Thursday, February 29, 2024

One of college football’s most explosive play makers over the past three years, Bowers is not a fan of public speaking.

Being under one of the nation’s most intense spotlights with the two-time national champion Bulldogs helped him get more comfortable in the role. But when he met the media Thursday inside the Indiana Convention Center, he kept most answers short and sweet.

“It’s not my favorite thing, but it’s part of (the Combine experience),” Bowers said. “I feel like I’ve gotten better at it since I started my freshman year at Georgia.”

Put it on the short list of areas for improvement as Bowers makes the transition to the NFL.

If a team is not picking in the top five of April’s draft, there’s a decent chance the versatile tight end is the apple of the fan base’s collective eye.

Bowers’ landing spot will be among the draft’s more intriguing storylines.

He caught 56 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns in 2023 despite being limited by a nagging ankle injury that cost him four games.

In his three years at Georgia, he recorded 26 touchdown receptions and added another five scores on the ground.

Those kinds of numbers are sure to grab the attention of NFL evaluators. But the early picks in this year’s draft are expected to be loaded with quarterbacks, wide receivers, offensive tackles and perhaps a cornerback and a pass rusher or two.

It’s unclear exactly where the class’ undisputed No. 1 tight end fits in.

“He is easy to grade,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “I mean, when you watch him, he’s super easy to grade. He is one of the best 10 players in this draft. Size-wise, speed-wise, I think he’s going to be very – he’s going to favor (San Francisco 49ers star George) Kittle. … Similar size and speed, plays with just tenacity, especially with the ball in his hands.

“That’s where he is at his best. And the run game. When he can get into guys, he can finish them. He’s not the tallest or longest guy, so there are times he can’t do that. Everything he does – separate easy. He can go get it. He can climb the ladder and go and get the ball, and really run-after-the-catch stuff is what makes him special.

“The challenge is then figuring out where does he go in the draft, and I think when you look around the league and you see most of these top tight ends that have come on Day 2 or even beyond that, teams are now saying, ‘OK, we can find that other tight end. Maybe we don’t get the top guy, but we get a really, really good player who might end up being the top guy without having to pay that premium.’”

Bowers will be a good litmus test for that philosophy.

He was a starter on the Bulldogs’ national championship teams as a freshman and sophomore, and he was a centerpiece of the offense nearly from the moment he stepped on campus.

In a program that has churned out NFL talent at a record rate over the past two seasons, Bowers still managed to stand out as unique.

“He kind of changed the culture and the work ethic around our offense,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said prior to the team’s Orange Bowl matchup against Florida State. “The way he has practiced is incredible. He’s been a machine. The standard he set there will impact our roster for a long time.”

There’s a thought perhaps the Los Angeles Chargers will pull the trigger as early as the fifth overall pick. The Tennessee Titans (No. 7), Chicago Bears (No. 9) and New York Jets (No. 10) are other teams often connected with Bowers in the top 10.

But there’s no guarantee he goes as early as his talent dictates.

Former Florida star tight end Kyle Pitts has become something of a cautionary tale. Drafted fourth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, he’s yet to become the dominant offensive force expected from his college tape.

There are many reasons for that – from coaching to the talent surrounding him – but Pitts could factor into teams’ thinking as they evaluate Bowers.

It’s not a prospect that will keep the tight end up at night.

“I just want to go to a place I’m wanted and be used and hopefully have a good rookie season,” Bowers said.

Could that place be Indianapolis?

Bowers already has good memories in the city. Lucas Oil Stadium was the site of his first national championship in 2021.

“There’s only one tight end that fits that bill, and that’s somehow if Brock Bowers gets there,” Jeremiah said, referencing Indianapolis’ 15th overall pick. “As we’ve gone over the positional stuff, the financial aspect of it, the history, the draft history, even though he’s a top-10 player in this draft, I would not be – I would not rule out that somehow Brock Bowers gets there, and that would be ironic because I compared him to Kittle, but he reminds me of Kittle like in a (Colts legend) Dallas Clark body a little bit.