Mel Kiper Jr. calls Brock Bowers a 'heck of a pick' for New York Jets
One of this year’s top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft is Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who virtually every single evaluator regards as the top tight end in the class and one of the top pass catchers overall out of the field.
The 2024 NFL Draft is just two weeks away as analyst start to dial in on their final mock drafts ahead of the big day. And in ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr’s latest mock draft, he forecasted that the New York Jets would be selecting Bowers with the No. 10 overall pick.
“I thought about making a trade here moving down off of 10, they would like to recoup a second-round draft choice right? But Brock Bowers, if you don’t get an offer, they take Brock,” Kiper said on Wednesday’s SportsCenter Special.
Bowers was one of the nation’s top tight ends throughout the entirety of his three-year college career with the Bulldogs. Leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in every season of his college career while also taking home the John Mackey Award twice. But what really stands out to Kiper is the way he’s stepped up in the biggest moments throughout his career.
“He’s a receiving entity, big game guy. You think about him at Georgia, averaged 83 yards receiving per game in seven career conference [championship] games and bowl games from day one as a true freshman. He’s been a nightmare for defensive coordinators to try to handle,” Kiper said. “The only reason they slowed him down this year was the injury with the ankle.”
Bowers missed four games last year after undergoing a tight-rope ankle procedure in the middle of the season. But overall his status as potentially generational talent at the position far outweighs any injury concerns surrounding him ahead of draft day.
Kiper also acknowledged that the Jets could use help along their offensive line and even benefit from trading down in the first round of the draft. But if they do neither, Bowers could be the perfect target for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he returns from a season-ending injury.
“Botton line is Brock Bowers for Aaron Rogers would be a heck of a pick,” Kiper said. I” understand the offensive line. JC Latham has to be in the discussion, [Taliese] Fuaga from Oregon State. But if you have to stay at 10, you’re not able to get a dance partner to move off of 10, maybe you move off of 10 and still get Bowers. But if you don’t get the dance partner you take him at 10, but I would try to move down a little bit and recoup a second round draft pick.”