Best NFL fits for explosive tight end Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft (Post NFL Combine)

Brock Bowers will be an intriguing name to watch in the 2024 NFL Draft.  Entering the draft clearly as the top tight end prospect, the two-time John Mackey Award winner could go anywhere from as high at No. 4 to late in the first round according to some NFL mock drafts, but which team is the best fit for the former Georgia star?

A better question is which team wouldn’t be a fit for a playmaker of his caliber.  Although Bowers didn’t work out at the NFL combine, his play on the field of work and dominance while playing with the Bulldogs speaks for itself and the numbers don’t lie.

2024 NFL Draft: Brock Bowers has the making of the NFL's next great tight end

During his career at Georgia, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end hauled in 175 receptions for 2,538 yards with 26 touchdowns.  He also rushed for a total of 193 yards on 19 attempts showing off his versality within the Bulldogs offense, a versatility that will transfer nicely in the NFL if he is with the right team and the right situation entering the league.

Will he be a player who will need a team with a veteran quarterback in place or is he the type of player who can elevate a young quarterback?  Given his talent and skillset, it’s hard to imagine Bowers not excelling with whichever team or situation he is drafted based on his versatility and athleticism as a pass-catching tight end.

In a draft analysis of Bowers, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein writes:

“Prolific pass-catching tight end with a rare blend of acceleration, speed, body control and hands that could breathe new life into a stale NFL offense. Bowers was a high-volume target at Georgia and led the team in receiving yards in all three of his college seasons. He plays with relentless pacing as a route runner, allowing him to beat man coverage. Also, he’s highly effective at exploiting zone pockets for first downs and chunk plays. Bowers’ secret sauce might be his ability to rip through tacklers and pile on yardage after the catch.”

The offensive skillset is off the charts, but there is one area of improvement for Bowers on the next level and that is blocking.  But his best NFL fits will live with that if his playmaking ability translates to the professional level.

Why the New York Jets should select Brock Bowers at No. 10

There is some intrigue here in pairing Bowers with a savvy veteran quarterback like Aaron Rodgers.  The New York Jets were an abysmal team when it came to offense in 2023 without Rodgers and should be that much better just with his return.  But let’s not pretend poor quarterback play was the only Jets problem offensively.

The offensive line needs work and the team needs at least another playmaker for Rodgers to get the ball to.  With the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jets will have options.  They could go offensive line or one of the top 3 receivers depending on how the start of the draft pans out.  If Bowers slips down to them at that spot, they must pick him up because of the Rodgers factor.

With his ability to separate while running routes, Bowers would give the veteran QB a reliable target in the middle of the field and another player who could get open during extended plays. The Jets currently have two young players in running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson to build around.  Adding Bowers to the mix along with another veteran receiver would put Rodgers and the Jets in business for the 2024 NFL season.

Why the Los Angeles Chargers should select Brock Bowers at No. 5

The Chargers are a situation where Bowers could come in and make a young quarterback in Justin Herbert even better.  Like the Jets, the Chargers will have an opportunity at one of the top receivers in the draft, but with pick No. 5 they would be hard pressed not to select Bowers.

The key for the Chargers here is for 2023 first round pick Quentin Johnston to emerge in his second season.  That would give Herbert a nice duo at the receiver spot with Johnston and Keenan Allen with Bowers working the field at the tight end position.  Selecting Bowers would also give Hebert the best tight end talent he has had since his rookie season when he formed chemistry with Hunter Henry.

With Jim Harbaugh now manning the ship in L.A., the Bolts will spark lightning with whoever they select at No. 5, but if its Bowers, the Chargers offense will live up to the hype in 2024 as long as everyone is healthy.

Why the Tennessee Titans should select Brock Bowers at No. 7

The Titans are a team starving for an offensive superstar, especially with running back Derrick Henry expected to depart in NFL free agency.  That departure does allow new Titans head coach Brian Callahan to take the offense in a different direction with Will Levis expected to run the show as QB1 in 2024.

What better way to help the young quarterback than to add a playmaker like Bowers to the mix.  With veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins and young stud Treylon Burks on the outside, the Titans would transform into even more of an aerial attack than an offense that centered around the ground attack of Henry.

The Titans are also a preferred team of Bowers because it is close to where he played his college football.

"Whoever wants to take me. It's hard to say," Bowers told Pro Football Talk. "I'd be all right with going to the Tennessee Titans. I liked it down in the Georgia (and) Tennessee area. I thought it was cool. That would be a cool spot."

If he is teamed up with Levis, he will also get to play with a quarterback he is familiar with as Levis was with the University of Kentucky while Bowers played at Georgia.  Talk about a nice SEC connection in Tennessee!