Mel Kiper explains why Brock Bowers fits New York Jets
As the 2024 NFL Draft draws near, the draft boards for NFL franchises become clearer by the minute. For potential draft prospects, they get a better idea of what teams are looking to acquire their services. One player who is at the top of most franchises’ draft boards at tight end is Brock Bowers and ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has him being taken off the board early in his latest mock draft.
Bowers was a key piece in the Georgia Bulldogs back-to-back national championship run in 2021 and 2022. And with his side strength and elite playmaking ability, Kiper Jr. does not see him making it out of the top 10 picks without hearing his name called. The NFL draft guru also sees the former Bulldogs teaming up with one of the elite quarterbacks in the AFC in 2024.
“Love Brock Bowers. I think he’d be great with Aaron Rodgers. Obviously, they need somebody to help out Garrett Wilson. You say, well, they have to take an offensive lineman.”
While New York definitely needs the help along their offensive trenches, giving Rodgers another weapon might not be a bad idea in the long run. Should the Jets miss out on one of the top two rated offensive tackles in this year’s draft, as projected by Kiper, providing their veteran star quarterback another outlet to get the ball out of his hands quickly could lead to more success for the franchise in the upcoming season.
“They’re gonna help the offensive line in more always than just this tenth pick. It just didn’t flow that way. I had JC Latham off the board at 5, I had Joe Alt off the board at 7. Olu Fashanu is a little bit of a mixed opinion on the tackle from Penn State. If it fell, say, with Latham or Alt there, I think they would take the tackle over Brock Bowers. Well, those two tackles are gone, Bowers gives you a dynamic that nobody else in this draft has. He can do everything you want. He’s a receiving entity.”
As Kiper pointed out, many individuals believe that the Jets should prioritize improving their offensive line and select one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft. And rightfully so, after Rodgers was lost for the season with an Achilles tear just four games into his New York regular season debut.
Bowers was a handful for opposing defenses to slow down during his three-year collegiate career. The former Bulldogs star tight end was able to snag two John Mackey awards given to the best at the position in college football. He also finished last season as a consensus All-American despite dealing with an injury in the regular season.
Bowers proved himself to be an invaluable game changer for Georgia and Kirby Smart despite the position he is listed at on the depth chart. Bowers finished his time in Athens, GA, with 175 catches for 2538 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns. And if he’s teamed up with Aaron Rodgers, he could find himself on the receiving end of a whole lot more touchdown grabs.