Georgia tight end Brock Bowers declined opportunities to provide athletic testing results throughout the pre-draft process. That means Bowers will enter the 2024 NFL Draft without having run a 40, making a vertical or broad jump, or performing other testing-based drills. It adds a layer of mystery to Bowers' evaluation, but ultimately shouldn't hurt his draft stock.
Bowers attended the NFL Scouting Combine in March. The Georgia standout participated in the weigh-in process, clocking in at 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds with arms longer than 32 inches and hands larger than nine inches. An ongoing hamstring injury prevented Bowers from participating in Georgia's initial pro day. Bowers recently held a do-over pro day for NFL scouts, but once again declined to test athletically. Bowers’ participation at the recent pro day was limited to position drills, according to reports. Bowers ran approximately 15 routes. Those in attendance described him as “crisp and explosive.”
Athletic testing is usually a decent indicator of pro success. That's especially been true at tight end, according to data collected by Josh Norris. Essentially every elite tight end in the league provided outstanding athletic results throughout their pre-draft process. Bowers won't be on that list.
It's fair to chalk up Bowers' pre-draft process as an anomaly. Perhaps Bowers didn't want to provide less than what he's capable of due to the ongoing hamstring ailment. Watching the film indicates Bowers is a high-level athlete.
You don't need official pre-draft testing results to see that Bowers is a physically gifted pass-catcher on tape. Bowers is a superior athlete and an alignment-versatile mover with the burst required to pull away from defenders on shallow crossers and deep over routes—two staples of the Georgia offense. Ball skills and contested-catch-point dominance make Bowers a nightmare assignment in single-man coverage for opposing linebackers and safeties.
Bowers' best overall trait may be his dynamic open-field abilities to create yards after the catch. Georgia routinely schemed up manufactured touch opportunities for Bowers to generate explosive plays. Bowers' combination of open-field speed and physicality after the catch projects to make him a dangerous weapon in a pass-happy NFL offense.
When it comes to sorting through Bowers’ stock, the Napa, California native should garner strong consideration from the New York Jets with the No. 10 overall pick. With aging quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a win-now window, the Jets could use an instant contributor like Bowers. If they pass, the Indianapolis Colts (No. 15) and Cincinnati Bengals (No. 18) qualify as two additional outstanding fits in the top 20.
The prolific tight end was an elite three-year producer at Georgia. Bowers enters the draft after racking up 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. Multi-year production helped establish Bowers as a top 10 overall prospect in the draft.
Positional value questions have dominated Bowers' pre-draft discussion, though. Now we have athletic testing controversies to add to the conversation. Bowers hasn't experienced a straightforward process, but his proven production and identifiable traits on tape should lead to him being a top-15 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
