Brock Bowers has special traits, but do his concerns hold him back from being worthy of No. 10 for the New York Jets?
The New York Jets have short and long term holes at both offensive tackle and wide receiver. Fortunately for them, both the OT and WR classes are considered strong in 2024.
That would make OT or WR the only two options for New York at No. 10, right?
Wrong, and one man is the reason for that: Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.
Bowers is considered one of the best TE prospects in recent memory. The term “generational” gets mentioned by many people when discussing the dynamic weapon who caught 56 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns in just 10 games for the Bulldogs last year.
Since the Jets have locked down most of their starting spots on both sides of the ball, Bowers is viewed as a popular option for the Jets at No. 10. For a Jets team that is trying to win it all in 2024, some believe Bowers would be the best player available when the Jets are on the clock, capable of making a greater immediate impact than a WR3 or backup OT.
Is that true?
We set out to answer that question and many more in the latest Blewett’s Blitz film review.
- What are the traits that make Bowers such a highly regarded prospect?
- What are the overlooked concerns that make him a potentially risky pick at No. 10?
- What are some of the misconceptions about Bowers’ game?
All of that and much more is broken down in the review! In addition, a list of Bowers’ strengths and weaknesses can be found at the bottom of this page.
Brock Bowers film review
Brock Bowers strengths and weaknesses
2023 games watched: Ball State, South Carolina, UAB, Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, UT Martin, Vanderbilt
Strengths:
- Smooth out of route breaks
- Deep speed
- Good vision as YAC threat
- Balance
- Nasty blocking tenacity
- Flexibility
- Grip strength
- Good release/stems vs. off coverage
- Change of direction
- Explosion
- Blocks with good base
- Blocking patience
- Uses overlap technique in pass protection (more rare for TEs)
- Solid in pass protection
- Runs feet on contact in run blocks
- Uses rocker steps
- Bam steps show up in route running
- Defeats defender’s hands in secondary releases
- High effort player
- Works to stack defenders
- Carries good leverage into blocks
- Hand placement as a blocker
- Uses peak technique
- Alters route pacing
Weaknesses:
- Wanted much more in contested catch situations
- Can gear down while tracking ball
- Average hands
- Could sell drive phase better
- Size
- Physicality at catch point
- Will need to add size to have NFL strength
- Not an in-line blocker or Y-TE at this point, more of a “move” blocker
- Needs to attack football in air
- Could use size better as a route runner
- Arms can flail on breaks
- Shoulders raise well before breaks at times
- Can be high into his breaks
- Needs to commit to his footwork at breaks
- Saw little to no reps vs. press coverage
- Needs to roll hips and work feet with more consistency as a blocker
- Doesn’t win at catch point
- Doesn’t box defenders out for ball
- Can try one-handed catches when two hands are available
In response to another piece on X Factor I said that I considered “generational TE’s” to be guys like Gronk, Winslow and Gates. Rivka responded by saying that Bowers is a more complete TE than those guys (better blocker).
No way in hell am I taking a TE at #10, I’ll take the chance that he is indeed “generational”
Afternoon Joe,
Thank you for starting these early this year.
I wonder if the things you point out are correctable, coachable, and how long until he can improve on these flaws/techniques?
It appears he may be sorta a one trick pony to some degree, as far as, it seems he excels more as a big runner in space, then a great technician in the passing game.
Being that the Jet’s are in win now mode, do you think he would be an impactful person in the TE room, and an asset that Aaron could use to his advantage?
The Jets have had there share of 1st round busts, so at this point in their roster rebuild going into 2024, would you take Bowers, and get what you can from him, knowing you have two tight ends on the roster?
Do you go with a tackle (T. Fuaga), knowing they only have Moses for one season, and he would be the better long term addition?
Is the WR the way to go, as it appears they really need to add talent to that room, and the cost of a top WR is becoming expensive, compared to a TE.
The problem is it is a rare a quality TE gets loose.
I am not sure I see the Jets choosing outside of these position groups, so who would you feel most comfortable with taking TE1, WR3/4, Tackle 3/4?
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Enjoy your Easter!
I don’t see Bowers vs. an OT as short term versus long term necessarily. I think they both could have short term and long term value. For example, which is more likely to perform well in his rookie year, a TE or an OT, especially when you figure that Rodgers is a very exacting QB who wants routes run just so? Plus, which is the bigger injury risk, Conklin at TE or Smith at OT? I think it is probably Smith by a wide margin. Finally, what impacts any QBs performance more, a functioning LT or a TE who can get open? I think it’s the LT every time. Bowers is the guy you might pick when you have your LT situation totally solidified, not before then.
Been waiting for this review as respect your process. The hype over Bowers has been infuriating as saw a lot of what you’ve pointed out with the shortcomings of his game, and there’s far too much emphasis the manufactured touch stuff that may not work as well against more athletic/skilled defenders in the NFL.
i don’t know how many snaps Bowers played in, and you cite only a small sampling of plays, but i did notice the QB was late and/or inaccurate with some of his passes, creating unnecessary issues, that reflected badly on Bowers.
i also believe that despite his supposed shortcomings, he’s still better than Conklin or Reckert! His explosiveness and balance makes him a Breece Hall type home run hitter every time he touches the ball!