Brock Bowers: 2024 NFL Draft Profile, Projection, Prediction
Few programs have been better at putting players into the NFL during the Kirby Smart era than Georgia, and this year’s draft is no different. Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims and Ladd McConkey are likely to go early. There’s the mid-round guys like Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Tykee Smith and the late-round steals like Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Sedrick Van Pran and a pair of running backs – Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards.
Looking to hit double-digits for a third consecutive year, the Bulldogs sent 11 to the NFL Combine earlier in the process. A couple more worked out at UGA’s Pro Day. To preview it all for you, DawgsHQ takes an individual look at Georgia’s players in the draft pool, recapping their career in red and black and providing the latest projections (and a prediction of our own) for where they’ll fall on draft night.
Brock Bowers
Bowers was one of the top players in the entire sport during his time at the collegiate level. From the day he stepped foot on campus, the Napa, Calif. native made a major impact. He helped Georgia win its first National Championship in 41 years in 2021, hauling in 56 passes for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. For his efforts, he won both SEC and national Freshman of the Year, setting several new program marks in the process. Then, as a sophomore, he went out and had an even better season with 942 yards on 63 receptions and 10 total touchdowns (7 receiving, 3 rushing),
While Bowers went down with an injury in October, one that caused him to miss four games this past season, he still managed to match his freshman year reception total of 56, putting up 714 yards and six touchdowns. For a second straight season, Bowers took home the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end – becoming the first-ever player win the award twice. Three games in a row (UAB, Auburn, Kentucky) did Bowers top the 100-yard mark including a career-high 157 in the road win over the Tigers. Bowers scored the game winning touchdown to cap off the spectacular day, one of his 10 career 100-yard games and a third with over 150.
Palmer’s Prediction: NFL analysts have had a hard time trying to pinpoint where Bowers will land. On one hand, he plays a position that’s not one of need really for anybody. Having an extraordinary tight end is a luxury. On the other hand, he’s one of the best players regardless of position, and the impact we’ve seen tight ends have is incredible. To me, I think Bowers being knocked down draft boards is all part of the smoke screen teams put up late. I see him going in the top 10, likely to the New York Jets at No. 10 but potentially before then too. If he somehow slips out of the top 10, he won’t make it very far. Some time is going to see the value in adding a player like Bowers, and while they might not trade up to go get him, he’ll be too good to pass on.
