Dan Orlovsky identifies two Georgia players as hidden gems in Round 1 tonight

On First Take Thursday morning ahead of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft that evening, analyst Dan Orlovsky joined to explain why Georgia has two players on the offensive ball he’d love to take in the first round.

Orlovsky was asked to produce a few sleeper selections for the first round who could be surprise selections when they do come off the board. He went with some playmakers out of Athens, starting with the Dawgs’ top wideout:

“I’m going to Georgia for two different guys. No. 1, Ladd McConkey. I think this is such a deep wide receiver class, but I think he’s got a lot of nuance to his game and is going to be really good if he goes to the right place in the NFL.”

Orlovsky had especially high praise when it came to his NFL comparison for McConkey.

“I see him being a Cooper Kupp type of player absolutely. And Ladd McConkey, I think, is going to be a first round wide receiver that immediately steps into the NFL, and we’re talking about a guy that could go for 60-70 catches.”

Lofty expectations for the Bulldog WR. But the same goes for tight end Brock Bowers.

“And then Brock Bowers. I’m just telling everybody, if I was Chicago at nine, I would think long and hard about taking Brock Bowers,” shared Orlovsky. “If they don’t, and I’m the Indianapolis Colts and Shane Steichen, it is perfect for the Colts and Anthony Richardson.”

The Colts and Bears would certainly luck out to add a weapon like Bowers, which is why Stephen A. Smith doesn’t really buy that such a pick is a sleeper.

“Oh. What is your definition of a hidden gem? Who doesn’t know that Brock Bowers is the best tight end in the draft? That’s not hidden gem. Everyone knows him!” explained Smith to Orlovsky, who tried to explain his rationale.

“I’m giving you where I would take him that’s a little bit hidden,” he said. “If I was the Bears, and you told me Rome Odunze is there at nine or Brock Bowers is there at nine, I think I would take Brock Bowers, even though I think Rome Odunze is fantastic.”

Smith then asked Dan Orlovsky if he truly does believe a tight end is more valuable in today’s NFL, to which he answered that yes, TE is a more valuable position, which is why he’d take Bowers so high.