Tag: brock bowers

Raiders GM Tom Telesco stayed true to ‘Best Player Available’ with Brock Bowers pick

Tom Telesco eschews need and goes with ‘Best Player Available’ in Brock Bowers pick

Every GM touts ‘Best Player Available’ regardless of position coming into a draft. And it’s extremely rare to actually stay true to those words. Often times it’s downright unwise to stay true to that when you have glaring needs on your football team to consider.

Raiders GM Tom Telesco spoke this past week about that concept. He said essentially that team needs isn’t really relevant because needs can change quickly. To prove his point, he told the story of when the Chargers drafted Keenan Allen out of Cal when wide receiver wasn’t a need only to have some injuries thrust Allen into the starting lineup where he earned Rookie of the Year honors.

The story was great and all, but taken with a grain of salt. First of all, Allen was a third round pick, so it’s not nearly the same as ignoring need in the first round. More importantly, we’re still talking, again, about a concept that sounds great in theory, but is usually hard — and sometimes downright unwise — to follow in actual practice. After all, teams want to get better right now and loading up at already strong positions doesn’t often help them do that.

But I suppose credit it due to Telesco for staying true to his words with his first ever pick as Raiders GM.

When the Raiders pick came up at 13, they shocked a lot of people — including myself — who saw some talented players on the board who were at positions of need and took tight end Brock Bowers instead.

“You try and stick to [best player available] when you can,” said Telesco. “It’s harder than you think sometimes because you’re adding to the football team, and we know where we are today. We are looking for today and the future. But a player like Brock, just the scouting staff, where they have him, what they thought about him, what the coaching staff thought. He’s really a pretty consensus guy.”

Understandable that Bowers would be a consensus guy. He was a consensus All American at tight end last season. His third consecutive season making First Team All American and second straight season as the Mackey Award Winner. And he’s just a Junior.

Bowers said he was shocked by his selection by the Raiders. And that shock was shared by most everyone else by that pick. That’s because they add Bowers to a team that already has Michael Mayer who the Raiders traded up to select at 35 overall in last year’s draft, and Harrison Bryant who was one of the teams few free agent signings this offseason.

This, of course, makes one wonder if perhaps Telesco and the Raiders new offensive staff aren’t high on Mayer. But he insisted that wasn’t it.

“We love Michael Mayer. I love Michael Mayer. He’s a really good player, He’s going to take another big jump this year,” Telesco added. “But we had a chance to add another dimension to the offense, whether it’s tight end, hybrid receiver, whatever it is. We need more playmakers on that side of the ball, so he’s going to help us there. High level player in college, true junior, very young, still developing, but he’s got some natural football skills combined with some high level athletic ability and speed.”

What it also means is the Raiders still have the same glaring needs at quarterback, offensive tackle, and cornerback that they had coming into the night.

The quarterback situation was mostly taken out of their hands, with six of them coming off the board in the first 12 picks before the Raiders selected. But that left them with the likes of tackle Taliese Fuaga and their choice of all the cornerbacks because none had been taken. In fact they had their choice of any defensive player in the draft because none had been taken at that point.

What they will hope now is a first round level talent at one of those positions is there at 44 or perhaps at a spot they can trade up to should they want to do so.

Top pick TE Brock Bowers joins Raiders he grew up watching practice at his Napa middle school

Brock Bowers once watched the Raiders hold camp at his middle school. Now he’s their top pick in the draft.

At a young age, Brock Bowers had a frontrow seat every August when the Raiders came to Napa for training camp. The Raiders held camp on the grounds of Redwood Middle School where Bowers attended. Little did he know at the time, he would one day be donning those same uniforms.

The Raiders selected Bowers out of Georgia with the 13th overall pick.

“They used to have training camp right here in Napa, literally at my middle school,” said Bowers after being drafted by the Raiders. “It’s kind of cool how things come full circle like that. I remember going to watch them practice in training camp. It’s kind of cool how it comes around like that.”

“I remember watching… I think Derek Carr was there and I think I got an autograph from him and that was pretty sweet. That was one of my most memorable things.”

As it happens, the Raiders left Napa the same year Bowers did. The Napa High alum graduated in 2020, the same year the Raiders left for Vegas. Now after three years at Georgia, Bowers re-joins the team he watched growing up.

Instant 2024 NFL Draft grades: Las Vegas Raiders select Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia 13th overall

Instant 2024 NFL Draft grades: Las Vegas Raiders select Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia 13th overall

The Las Vegas Raiders are snake bitten by their franchise rival as they see the last first round quarterback fall into the laps of the Denver Broncos but stay firm and pick maybe the best offensive weapon in this class in Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Bowers projects as an immediate starter next to an already talented tight end room with second-year player Michael Mayer. Bowers brings an irresistible skillset that sets whoever the quarterback is up with a reliable target in the middle of the field.

Possessing the most rounded skillset of any tight end coming out in years, Bowers is an elite athlete who will walk in as one of the best in the league from day one. Expect Bowers to be a pro bowler early on for the Raiders.

Grade: A

Raiders pick TE Brock Bowers at No. 13 in NFL draft

The Raiders chose Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with 13th overall pick in the NFL draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday evening.

Bowers (6-3, 243 pounds) is the best tight end in this year’s class. He did not run a 40-yard dash at the NFL combine due to a hamstring injury, but the tight end impressed clubs at his personal pro day earlier this month.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Bowers to George Kittle, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft and has since made five Pro Bowls.

Bowers made an instant impact for the Bulldogs, hauling in 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021 to win the Shaun Alexander Award, given to college football’s best freshman each season.

The following year, Bowers totaled 63 receptions for 942 yards and scored seven touchdowns to win the John Mackey Award, given to the NCAA’s top tight end. He won that award again in 2023 after hauling in 56 receptions for 714 yards and six scores.

In addition to his receiving totals, Bowers also rushed for 193 yards and five touchdowns at Georgia.

Bowers was recognized as a three-time All-American and three-time All-SEC player during his three seasons with the Bulldogs. He is now set to enter the NFL as a 21-year-old rookie.

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2024 NFL draft: Georgia tight end Brock Bowers goes No. 13 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders got a steal when they drafted Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the No. 13 pick in the draft

The Georgia Bulldogs have officially seen their first player off the board in the 2024 NFL draft, as tight end Brock Bowers has been drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Bowers burst onto the scene in his freshman year at Georgia, recording six catches in his opening game against Clemson and taking the starting job from current Steelers tight end Darnell Washington. Bowers provides numerous dimensions to his game as an offensive weapon. Over three seasons with the Bulldogs, he recorded 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. He would also add 19 carries for 193 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, showcasing the uncharacteristic athleticism that sets him apart from other tight ends.

He racked up accolades during his time at Georgia, winning the John Mackey award for the best tight end in the nation back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. He was a three-time all-SEC tight end and would be named a second-team All-American in 2021, a first-team All-American in 2022, and a unanimous All-American in 2023.

Bowers will join Michael Mayer, a second-round tight end drafted by the Raiders a year ago, in their tight end room, and will provide an immediate offensive weapon for first-year head coach Antonio Pierce. The move will also reunite Bowers with his former Bulldog teammate in Zamir White.

Las Vegas Raiders select Georgia TE Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick. Grade: B

For the second straight season, the Raiders have made a tight end a major part of their draft plan.

For the second straight season, the Raiders have made a tight end a major part of their draft plan after selecting Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer with the 35th overall pick in the 2023 draft. It’s an interesting construct for offensive coordinator Luke Getsy in that Mayer is more of an in-line reliable guy, while Brock Bowers can mess up linebackers and safeties to the second and third levels of the field. There were certainly more pressing needs here, but there’s no denying what Bowers can do for an offense. 

Brock Bowers was a four-star prospect out of Napa High School in Napa, California, and it took him no time to make an impact in Georgia’s offense. As a freshman, he caught 56 passes on 71 targets for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns, winning all kinds of Freshman of the Year awards. No one-year wonder, Bowers caught 63 passes on 82 targets for 942 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022, and he had 56 catches on seven targets for 717 yards and six touchdowns in 2023.

Bowers certainly projects well as a high-end tight end in the NFL, but there could be more to the picture with his NFL team. He didn’t run downfield for a ton of isolated vertical shots in college, but it could be a hidden superpower that his next team will unleash. Overall, it’s obvious why he’s everybody’s TE1, and there could be more to come.

PLUSES

— Plays at 6′ 3⅛” and 243 pounds with below-average wingspan, arm length, and hand size. Now, go to the tape and tell me any of that is evident. He looks about 6’6″, 260, with all the physical attributes you want at the position.

— Bowers’ desire for the ball shows up both in his acrobatic catches (extending his catch radius), and the ways in which he’ll win contested catches.

— Brings nice acceleration through his routes, and understands how and when to break into gaps in coverage.

— Wins after the catch with pure power; if you’re trying to arm-tackle him, you might as well go home, especially after he gets a full head of steam in the open field.

— When he squares up to block, he’s capable of pancaking defensive linemen with his technique and will to dominate.

MINUSES

— Bowers does need work on his blocking technique; he’s just as prone to wild misses as he is to direct hits.

— He’s more of a glider as a runner than an explosive weapon off the line of scrimmage.

— Arm length shows up as a negative when he has to go up against lankier defenders in tight situations.

I like Bowers a lot, and it’s clear that he’s TE1 in this class. I’d stop short of the “generational” label; he strikes me as an excellent H/slot weapon in a TE-heavy offense with Travis Kelce/George Kittle potential. I appreciate how he’s maximized his tools, and there could be more to the ceiling.

That ceiling may be his ability to run Y-iso routes as Kelce and Kittle do; Georgia didn’t have him doing that a lot, but he’s clearly got the tools to make it happen.

Colts trade up for dynamic TE in Field Yates’ final 2024 mock draft

In Field Yates’ final 2024 NFL mock draft, the Colts trade up for Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Here is a breakdown of that selection.

In the last few days, there have been rumblings that the Colts are looking to trade up in the first round in an effort to land one of the top cornerbacks.

In Field Yates’ final mock draft, he does have the Colts trading up to pick No. 10 with the New York Jets, but they go in a different direction, selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Here is what Yates had to say about the selection and his reasoning behind it:

“I’ve heard some buzz from people around the league that suggests Indy wants to continue to build its offense around quarterback Anthony Richardson, and Bowers could be an instant game-changer. He’d be a massive boost for Richardson, as his excellent route running and after-the-catch traits make him a real problem for defensive coordinators. I like having Bowers team up with Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Jonathan Taylor. And besides, Bowers is simply too good of a player to last much longer than this in the draft.”

Yates didn’t specify what the Colts would have to give up in order to make this trade. However, using the Rich Hill trade value chart, we can get an idea.

In order to match the value of pick 10, which is 369 points, the Colts would have to part with picks 15 (315) and 82 (54). This would leave them with only two picks in the top-100 and six selections in total.

“I think it would depend,” said GM Chris Ballard in his pre-draft press conference on trading up. “There would have to be someone within striking distance we felt was really unique and a difference-maker for us.”

As Ballard said, moving up would require a ‘difference-maker’ being on the board, and Bowers certainly fits that mold.

From Day 1, he would provide Anthony Richardson with another reliable presence in the passing game and that needed playmaking potential that the Colts offense is searching for. Last season, Bowers averaged 13.0 yards per catch and was very good at picking up YAC.

Having this type of playmaking potential from the tight end position, along with Bowers’ versatility to line up across the formation, will open up the playbook for Shane Steichen and not only create mismatches for Bowers to exploit, but for his teammates as well.

According to ESPN analytics, Bowers has a 75 percent chance of being available at pick 10 but a less than 10 percent chance of still being on the board at pick 15 if the Colts stay put.

Final 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Russell Brown predicts 4 trades with 5 quarterbacks drafted in the first round

The final 2024 NFL Mock Draft from Lions Wire’s Russell Brown predicts 4 trades with 5 quarterbacks drafted in the first round

It’s the best weekend of the year! I cannot wait to get to Downtown Detroit to walk the city, do radio and talk with all of the great fans in the NFL. It’s been great going through the draft process to figure out which players go to each team.

Over the last two drafts (2022 and 2023), there’s only been a total of 3 trades occurring on the day of each draft. In this draft, I predict that we’ll see 4 trades and 5 quarterbacks selected in the first round. Let’s take a look at which players go where in the 2024 NFL Draft!

  1. Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC

This one has been evident for months now. Especially after the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Steelers, there’s no bigger need for Chicago than to get this pick right. One of the top players in the draft and to me, the best quarterback in the draft, Caleb Williams is the pick. 

  1. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Whether it’s unclear which quarterback the Commanders prefer, one thing we do know is that they seem likely to keep this pick. With that, I think the quarterback that makes the most sense is Jayden Daniels. His touch downfield is great and his mobility is even better. He’ll be a weapon for offensive coordinators and it would be a wise choice for the Commanders to tap into his potential and his skill-set. 

  1. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina 

For weeks I’ve had Drake Maye penciled into this spot so my guess is as good as yours, folks. Also, would the Patriots really trade back to salvage their opportunity for potentially their next signal caller? Their roster is bad and they sure could use a left tackle but I’ll have them stay at this spot despite the trade talk. With that, I think Maye is a good selection to jump start their new regime in Foxborough. 

  1. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Even though it’s fun to predict a trade back scenario for the Cardinals, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to pass on the best player in the draft. After all, the Cardinals have 6 picks in the top-100 and that includes two selections in the first round. They can get aggressive later in the draft but for now, they should stay put and take Harrison Jr., to give quarterback Kyler Murray a true number one receiver. 

  1. Los Angeles Chargers – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame 

I’ve gone back and forth about a trade down with the Vikings and other teams but I just can’t see it happening right now. With that, we all know that Jim Harbaugh loves the offensive line and wants to run the football. Protecting Justin Herbert is a wise plan for Harbaugh as well so this selection makes sense. Part of me considered J.C. Latham in this spot as I’ve had multiple sources tell me that “Harbaugh loves him.” However, I think they’ll stick with the best tackle in the draft. Alt is athletic enough to play left or right tackle for the Chargers. 

  1. New York Giants – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington 

It’s no secret that the Giants have been researching the quarterbacks in this draft. I’d be somewhat surprised if they took Michael Penix Jr., in this spot but I guess anything is possible. Meanwhile, it sounds like they’re “off” on McCarthy. That said, I think Rome Odunze is just a home run pick for the Giants because he’s different from most receivers they have on the roster. They pass on the signal caller and reassess the draft board on day two.  

  1. Tennessee Titans – J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama 

If Joe Alt is here, I think it’s a sprint to the podium spot for the Titans. With him gone, I think the Titans could pivot to Malik Nabers or one of the defensive players but ultimately, they need to ensure that Will Levis is well protected. J.C. Latham is a good athlete for his size and has some of the strongest hands of any tackle in the class.

  1. Indianapolis Colts (Mock Trade with Atlanta) – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU 

There’s been speculation that Nabers could be the first WR off the board. If he’s not, I think he falls right into this 8 or 9 range. There could be a deal that occurs from the Buffalo Bills or even the Los Angeles Rams but I think the Colts make sense by taking full advantage of quarterback Anthony Richardson being on a rookie deal. Adding Nabers gives them legit playmakers all over the field and makes them one of the more fun offenses in the league.

Mock Trade Details:

  • ATL Receives: 2024 1st-Round Pick (15th overall) and 2024 2nd-Round Pick (46th overall)
  • IND Receives: 2024 1st-Round Pick (8th overall)

 

  1. Chicago Bears – Byron Murphy, IDL, Texas 

I could see Dallas Turner or Brock Bowers in this spot but ultimately, I think this would be a terrific addition for the Bears. As much as I like Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens in the middle of their defensive line, Murphy provides more as a pass-rusher and a run defender. He could be a plug-and-play starter to help prevent the potential threats that the offenses in the NFC North present. 

  1. New York Jets – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State 

Went back and forth for about a week between Bowers and Fuaga but ultimately, I landed on Fuaga. That was the player that the Jets fell in love with at the Senior Bowl and with Joe Douglas being an offensive line guy, this just makes sense. This gives them guard and tackle flexibility to start the season and if anything were to happen with Tyron Smith or Morgan Moses, I think Fuaga can slide right into a starting tackle role for the Jets. 

  1. Minnesota Vikings – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan 

I could see the Vikings getting antsy and moving up but the more I talk with those connected to the Vikings, the thought is that they will keep the 11th and 23rd overall picks. With that, McCarthy falls right into the Vikings lap and they take their quarterback of the future. I think McCarthy is a great fit for Kevin O’Connell’s offense and him having Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should bode well for his success. 

  1. Denver Broncos – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama 

It wouldn’t surprise me if a team moved up for a pass-catcher or a cornerback in this spot. That said, Dallas Turner would be the best player available for the Broncos and that’s exactly what this team needs to do currently. Take the best player available and figure out who’s playing quarterback later. 

  1. Las Vegas Raiders – Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington 

Similar to the Broncos, the Raiders just need to add good football players. Despite the connections and interest in Michael Penix Jr, I think the Raiders will be interested in an offensive tackle such as Troy Fautanu. He’s athletic enough to play anywhere on the offensive line and certainly has the arm length necessary to play tackle. 

 

  1. New Orleans Saints – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State 

There could be a scenario where Fashanu is off the board in this spot but ultimately, he ends up falling in the lap of the Saints. We all know about the left and right tackle needs for the Saints due to concerns of Ryan Ramczyk’s knee. With that, Fashanu should be a plug-and-play starter at either tackle position with great length and ability to anchor consistently. 

 

  1. Atlanta Falcons (Mock Trade with Indianapolis) – Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA 

Fatu or Turner are real possibilities at 8th overall but with the Colts projected to move up, the Falcons are able to acquire additional capital and still get their guy. Latu is the best pure pass rusher in this draft and the only hold up for him to be locked into the top-10 is the medical concerns with his neck.

Mock Trade Details:

  • ATL Receives: 2024 1st-Round Pick (15th overall) and 2024 2nd-Round Pick (46th overall)
  • IND Receives: 2024 1st-Round Pick (8th overall)
  1. Philadelphia Eagles (Mock Trade with Seattle) – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo 

For the last two days, we continuously hear about the Eagles having interest in a cornerback. The name that continues to be mentioned is Quinyon Mitchell and it’s easy to see why any team needing help at cornerback would have him at the top of their board. This could be a smoke screen to force other teams to draft a cornerback so a pass-catcher or offensive tackle gets within the reaching distance of the Eagles. For now, they add Mitchell to their secondary as he’s got some of the click-and-close ability of any cornerback we’ve seen in awhile. 

Mock Trade Details:

  • SEA Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (22nd overall) and 2024 2nd Round Pick (53rd overall)
  • PHI Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (16th overall) and 2024 3rd Round Pick (81st overall)
  1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama 

It’ll be interesting where teams value Arnold as he’s a bit of a “wild man” with his lower body technique. However, his physicality and praise from Nick Saban won’t go unnoticed from NFL decision makers. The Jaguars need help on the perimeter and with teams like the Texans and Colts getting better on offense, this defense needs to stop the bleeding. 

 

  1. Cincinnati Bengals – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia 

Where does Bowers fit in the first round? If it’s not the Bears at 9 or Jets at 10, it feels like he slips outside of the top-15. Especially if the Colts trade up for a receiver. So with that, the Bowers’ fall stops here. By adding Bowers, the Bengals give themselves a legitimate receiving threat and it allows them to use their other tight end, Drew Sample in more of a blocking role while in max protection to keep Joe Burrow upright. That’s exactly what the LSU Tigers did with Burrow in college and it would be wise to consider it here for the Bengals. 

 

  1. Los Angeles Rams – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State 

Could we see Amarius Mims in this spot? It could happen and one name that’s been mentioned is Chop Robinson. However, Jared Verse is a top-15 player in this draft and he’d be a great fit for a defensive line that just lost Aaron Donald. Verse may not be an interior player but he should be able to align in multiple spots while having the speed-to-power needed to disrupt the pocket. 

 

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers – Graham Barton, IOL, Duke 

Sure feels like the Steelers have been connected to interior offensive lineman for much of the draft process. Preferably a center. With Barton staring them in the face, this just feels like a player they would take and we’d watch him carve out a starting role for the next 10-to-12 years in black and gold. Barton is a strong run blocker that looks to finish those blocks consistently and he’s athletic enough to play anywhere needed for the Steelers. 

 

  1. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas 

The two most common names brought to my attention for the Dolphins are Verse and Worthy. With Verse gone, the Dolphins select Worthy here and it makes all the sense in the world. Their offense already has one of the most explosive players in the league with Tyreek Hill and by adding Worthy, this just helps this offense take another step. There’s a lot of holes on the roster so I wouldn’t rule out a trade down with a team like the Cardinals but for now, they stay put and add another playmaker to their offense. 

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks (Mock Trade with Philadelphia) – Cooper Dejean, CB, Iowa 

This would be a perfect scenario for the Seahawks as they get additional draft capital and a player I’d have them take at 16th overall. Dejean just fits what Mike Macdonald could use for his defense with the cover 3 and quarters coverage that he runs. Dejean could play cornerback or safety and would be able to contribute on special teams as a returner. 

Mock Trade Details:

  • SEA Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (22nd overall) and 2024 2nd Round Pick (53rd overall)
  • PHI Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (16th overall) and 2024 3rd Round Pick (81st overall)
  1. Minnesota Vikings – Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois

If the Vikings keep the 23rd overall pick, I think they end up landing on a defensive player like Darius Robinson or Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. Reason I mention Robinson is because at the Senior Bowl two years ago, I heard Brian Flores just talking about the speed-to-power that Derrick Hall had and I could see the same thing about Robinson. That said, I think Newton is a first round type of player and he’d be a great addition to the Vikings bone thin interior defensive line. Newton has quick hands and he shows a good motor in run support. 

 

  1. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma 

The Cowboys draft plan should be about adding talent to their offensive line and a running back. With no running back worthy of a first round selection, Tyler Guyton is the player that makes a lot of sense for Dallas. They need a starting right tackle and if Guyton can stay healthy, he can certainly be that type of player at some point as a rookie. He’s got a great first step and there’s plenty of power behind his hands. 

 

  1. Green Bay Packers – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia 

To me, this would be the best landing spot for Mims in the first round. He could sit behind Zach Tom for a season, if needed or he could play right tackle as Tom moves inside to guard or center. There’s been discussions of Tom making that move so while Mims is a bit of a project due to only starting 7 games in college, he’s incredibly athletic for a player of his size. Protecting Jordan Love and keeping the Packers offense flowing should be a top priority. 

 

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State 

While I don’t view Chop Robinson as a first round player, I can still see why teams would value him. Meanwhile, I’ve heard that he’s interviewed incredibly well. The Bucs would be thrilled to add his first step explosiveness to the mix of Joe Tyron-Shoyinka, Yaya Diaby and Randy Gregory. With Robinson, he’ll need to get home more consistently versus the pass and become more consistent against the run but this would be a good landing spot for him in the first round. 

 

  1. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson 

Like I mentioned with the Dolphins pick, I could see the Cardinals moving up from the 27th overall pick rather than moving down from the 4th overall pick. That said, I’ll keep them here to take Nate Wiggins. He does struggle as a tackler but his long speed, effort and press-man ability is worthy of a first round pick. 

 

  1. Buffalo Bills – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU 

Every mock draft that I’ve done, I struggle on where to place Brian Thomas Jr from LSU. In this spot, he falls in the lap of the Bills and that’s mostly because I could see them considering a move up for him. He’s a player that I’ve labeled as the “slot fade king” and with his vertical ability, he seems destined to catch touchdown passes from Josh Allen. 

 

  1. Washington Commanders (Mock Trade with Detroit) – Jordan Morgan, IOL, Arizona 

There’s been a lot of buzz around Patrick Paul from Houston as a first round pick and I do wonder if the Lions are one of the teams that are interested in him. But one of the worst kept secrets in this draft is the Commanders using their draft capital to get back into the first round for offensive line help. One player they’ve met with is Jordan Morgan from Arizona and he’s a player with 32 ⅞” arms so a move to guard could happen. But the Commanders move up and try him at tackle to protect their new franchise quarterback, Jayden Daniels. 

Mock Trade Details:

  • DET Receives: 2024 2nd Round Pick (36th overall) and 2024 3rd Round Pick (100th overall)
  • WAS Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (29th overall)
  1. Baltimore Ravens – Kool Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

I’m still a firm believer that Christian Haynes could be the pick in this spot. We’ll see if that happens or not but with Kool-Aid McKinstry available, I think he’d be an ideal fit for the Ravens due to how well he plays in press-man and ability to tackle on the perimeter. Keep in mind, Ozzie Newsome may not be the general manager anymore but he’s still got a key role in the organization so I think that pipeline between the Ravens and Alabama players is a real thing. 

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (Mock Trade with San Francisco) — Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington 

The 49ers just feel like they’re in such a weird place as a team. There’s all types of connections to them moving on from one of their receivers but it’s unclear if they actually do. With that, I think they’d be more than happy to trade out of this spot and let a team like the Raiders jump up and get their quarterback of the future.

Mock Trade Details:

  • SF Receives: 2024 2nd Round Pick (44th overall), 2024 4th Round Pick (70th overall) & 2025 5th Round Pick
  • LV Receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (31st overall)
  1. Kansas City Chiefs – Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

There could be a real connection with Kingsley Suamatia here, especially with Andy Reid playing at BYU back in the day. However, the Chiefs traded away one of their best defensive players in L’Jarius Sneed and I think that may force the Chiefs to take a corner sooner rather than later. Sainristil is just a playmaker that is always around the football and he can play inside or outside for a defense. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would know exactly how to use him for his defense.

Colts get Georgia TE Brock Bowers in Daniel Jeremiah’s final 2024 mock draft

In Daniel Jeremiah’s final mock draft, he has the Colts taking Georgia tight end Brock Bowers at pick 15. Here is a breakdown of that selection.

With the 2024 NFL Draft almost here, we will be reviewing and breaking down the first-round predictions for the Indianapolis Colts in final 2024 mock drafts from a few of the most prominent analysts in the business:

Mock draft: Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com

Pick at 15th overall: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

What Jeremiah had to say: “The Colts are another team that’s had talks about trading up. I won’t be shocked if they end up with Bowers. Keep an eye on Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell as another potential fit here.”

Colts Wire’s breakdown: The Colts want to add more playmaking around Anthony Richardson, and Bowers would certainly provide that from the tight end position. Immediately, he would be a reliable target for Richardson and someone who is really good with the ball in his hands. Having this type of playmaking ability at tight end, and someone who can be moved around the formation, can help open up the playbook for Shane Steichen and not only create mismatches for Bowers to exploit, but others as well.

Positional need: Tight end isn’t a big need. The addition of Bowers is more so about adding an offensive weapon to what the Colts already have–not them feeling urgency to address the tight end position. Now, with that said, they do need a larger presence in the passing game from this position group than what they had in 2023, and Mo Alie-Cox is in the last year of his deal, so someone will have to emerge to handle those blocking duties.

Player Info

Height: 6-3
Weight: 243
Age: 21
40-yard dash: N/A
Vertical leap: N/A
Broad jump: N/A
Three-cone: N/A
Short shuttle: N/A
Bench press: N/A
RAS: N/A
Pre-draft visit: No
Senior Bowl: No

Consensus big board ranking: 10th

Draft profile from Daniel Jeremiah: “Bowers is an undersized tight end with elite speed, strength and playmaking ability. He lined up all over the field at Georgia — in-line, on the wing, split out and even at running back. He is very sudden in his release, and he uses his upper-body strength to chuck defenders when pressed at the line of scrimmage. He catches a lot of quick-hitters in the flat and he’s a maniac on screens. He attacks the ball in the air and is quick to transition up the field. He has the speed to pull away, but his greatest asset is his tackle-breaking power. He runs through contact without gearing down. He is an effective run blocker when he can get his hands on opponents, but he will get pressed out by longer-armed edge rushers. Overall, Bowers reminds me a lot of George Kittle, and I see him having a similar impact in the NFL.”

Cory Bonini’s 2024 NFL mock draft 3.0

Quarterbacks dominate our final mock draft update of 2024.

Here’s my final 2024 NFL mock draft. Be sure to check our NFL Draft Central page for the rest of our mocks, player scouting reports, and post-draft analysis of every key pick relevant to fantasy football.

*projected trade

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