Mel Kiper Jr. tabs Brock Bowers as a 'plug-and-play' guy

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers has played at a high level since bursting onto the college football field with the Bulldogs, and Mel Kiper Jr. doesn’t expect that to change in the NFL.

The ESPN NFL Draft analyst took some time to evaluate Bowers as we inch closer and closer to April. Evidently, he believes Bowers is among the safest picks you can make in the 2024 NFL Draft, as what you see is what you’re getting with the Georgia tight end.

“He’s a guy who I think, we talk about safe picks. You know, for today’s game, what you’re getting, and that’s Brock Bowers,” Kiper Jr. started. “Had the tightrope surgery. But the guy makes the tough catch. We saw him — after the catch, he’s splitting defenders, he’s off to the races. Just a kid who you know what you’re getting.

“I think Brock Bowers is a plug-and-play, probably a Pro Bowl caliber guy. … There’s no battle for No. 1. Brock Bowers is clearly the No. 1 tight end.”

Alas, a ton of teams would gladly take Bowers on their squad. What he does with the football is well documented, but his ability in run blocking also would pay dividends to any offense.

Brock Bowers certainly won’t have to wait long to hear his name called when the 2024 NFL Draft gets underway. A myriad of teams will be pining for him, and fantasy football enthusiasts will as well when the summer rolls around, no doubt.

More on Brock Bowers, 2024 NFL Draft

Brock Bowers has been a monster in college since arriving on the scene. As a freshman, he exploded onto the scene with 56 catches for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-American by ESPN, The Athletic and USA Today.

That was only the beginning of the accolades for Brock Bowers, who would essentially match his freshman year production in each of the next two years.

As a sophomore, he was the John Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top tight end. He was also named an AFCA, FWAA, ESPN and USA Today first-team All-American after racking up 63 catches for 942 yards and seven touchdowns.

His junior season didn’t quite go according to plan, with a high-ankle sprain sidelining him for nearly a month. Still, Brock Bowers went for 56 catches for 714 yards and six touchdowns.

He’s an impact player in every sense of the word, and he figures to continue having an outsized impact in 2024, wherever he ends up in the NFL.