You know draft season really gets into full swing once Dane Brugler drops his first mock draft of the season. He did so this week and gave the Jets an offensive weapon for whoever is at quarterback in 2024. But it may come as a bit of a surprise.
When the draft season really gets going, most Jets fans will likely feel wide receiver is among the biggest needs. However, in Brugler’s first mock for The Athletic, the Jets go tight end, instead.
Of course, we’re not just talking about any tight end. We’re talking about Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, an extremely gifted tight end.
Bowers burst onto the scene as a freshman, making an immediate impact for the Bulldogs and being a key piece for Georgia’s two national championships and being in position for a potential three-peat.
Here’s what Brugler had to say about the pick:
Assuming the Jets are all in with Aaron Rodgers for the 2024 season, the team’s first-round pick likely will be an offensive player who can contribute from Day 1. Whether you line him up at tight end, wide receiver or a hybrid position, Bowers can be a difference-maker and quickly emerge as one of the Jets’ go-to weapons.
This season, Bowers has 51 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns. He has 26 total touchdown catches in his career, including 13 as a freshman. For comparison, Kyle Pitts — the highest drafted tight end ever at No. 4 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 — had 18 touchdowns while at Florida.
Bowers can be a chess piece for the Jets now and in the future. But this pick would certainly be with an eye on making a run in 2024 with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback. Regardless, the Jets need weapons and Bowers would be quite the weapon.