Brock Bowers: Georgia, Georgia On My Mind

Brock Bowers has been the most impactful offensive weapon in all of college football.

This Georgia Bulldogs tight-end has led the offense in receiving since 2021 and left me in awe of his greatness.

It also brought back the memory of this classic song, “Georgia on My Mind,” by Ray Charles.

Bowers comes from the two-time National Champions, who have also been the king of the NFL Draft, sending 25 prospects into the league the past two years.

No question – – Bowers will lead the pack of the next wave of Georgia stars in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.

He was a former 4-star recruit out of Napa High School in California. Nationally, he was thought to be a backup to the heralded tight end Darnell Washington Jr., but quickly Bowers showed he was a man among boys even as a freshman, and he’s continued to get better every year.   

Gives an offensive coordinator peaceful dreams

There’s got to be nothing more peaceful than knowing the night before the game that you have a talent like Bowers on your team.

Let’s talk about speed

It’s the first trait that popped off my screen. His 40-yard dash has been said to be 4.48 seconds (which is ridiculous for a tight end). What’s crazy? He looks even faster on film breaking away from safeties and linebackers. No other tight end in the NFL (other than maybe the 49ers’ George Kittle) will have a better first step or yards after the catch than Bowers once he hits the big stage.

Matching up against zone and man coverage

Bowers has a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage up the seam, in the flat, or going across the field. Linebackers have no chance of guarding him as he sets up defenders well, and uses his speed to get away. Either that, or he just posts up his 6-foot-4 frame to outjump safeties and linebackers for 50/50 balls.  

Effort

When the game is on the line or at other defining moments Bowers makes the catch and dominates.  Everyone knows it’s going to Bowers, but he still gets open and moves the chains. That’s greatness, people.

Versatility

The Bulldogs use Bowers on screens, reverses, speed sweeps, handoffs, and trick plays. Georgia lined up Bowers outside and inside – – he is very comfortable in both roles. While he’s not the best blocker, he gets the job done regularly. Bowers is as complete of an offensive weapon as you will find.

Not as sweet and clear

As good as Bowers is – – no prospect is without faults.

Listed at 240 pounds, that is slightly undersized for the position. For example, tight ends Travis Kelce (Chiefs), George Kittle (49ers), and Mark Andrews (Ravens) are listed at 250-256 pounds (espn.com). Can Bowers add weight while maintaining his speed?

Improvement is needed in running routes versus man coverage. There are noticeable times on film when Bowers rounds off his routes and does not use fluid movements to his advantage. While he is getting away with it in college, this isn’t going to fly against Steelers’ safety Minkah Fitzpatrick or 49ers’ linebacker Fred Warner.

There are also rumblings as to how effective Bowers will be playing in line (at the line of scrimmage) at his size in the NFL. It’s a fair question, but I believe Bowers’ toughness and his relentless motor will compensate for any lack of physical stature.

Scouting Report

Game Film Evidence (2022)

Alabama (National Championship Game)

Ohio State

LSU

(2023)

Auburn

Kentucky

Future NFL All-Pro

Versatile gifted athletic prospect with elite traits. Does well in the categories of yards after the catch, contested catches, and dominates during key moments. While questions persist about his size or if he can run a full-route tree will likely continue, with a creative offensive coordinator and a good quarterback, he’ll flourish at the NFL level for years.

Tatum Round Grade: First-Round (Top-10)

Looking forward to:

Seeing what this Georgia offense is like while he is out six to eight weeks after going through tight-rope surgery on his ankle. I am also interested to see if he’ll sit out the rest of the year, or continue to show his toughness coming back for a potential championship stretch.

Rashad Tatum has been a deep-rooted fan of football since his grandpa introduced him to the game at the age of five years old. He’s from Houston, Texas. He uses YouTube and All22 film to break down prospects to give his direct analysis of players. Rashad has a trained eye developed by his former high school coach Steve Strahan who was in the NFL and played at Baylor University. He currently covers the top-rated prospects in the NFL Draft for Firstroundmock.com. When writing about football he lives by the motto “Lover of football, fan of no team.”