The Clear Case Against the Jets Drafting Brock Bowers

The most popular selection in Jets mock drafts have the team selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the tenth overall pick. The Jets hosted Bowers on a top-30 visit on Monday which was convenient timing considering a majority of the team including Aaron Rodgers arrived for the start of voluntary off-season workouts.

While Bowers looks like an absolute home run caliber draft pick at the top of the draft there are a few reasons the Jets should be concerned. Per Sheil Kapadia of the Ringer, in the past ten years, nine tight ends have been drafted in the first round and they've combined for just one 1,000 yard season and no All-Pro's.

Now you can certainly say that Brock Bowers is the Best Tight End prospect in recent memory however, the same was said about Kyle Pitts who's had his own struggles in the NFL.

There's also a case that can be made that Bowers struggles against some of the better defenses Georgia faces. Against Alabama, Bowers has played in three games combining for 228 yards and two touchdowns averaging 76 yards per game. We've seen Georgia and Bowers dominate against most opponents however, Alabama has seemingly contained him while most schools can't.

After Bowers' injury, the highest total he posted was 60 yards against Tennessee which could also be a concern. Bowers was likely still not 100% however, it will be concerning for the Jets that his return to form was never seen on film.

At tight end, while Bowers would give the team a massive boost in talent, the Jets have some solid players. Tyler Conklin finished second on the team in receiving with 621 yards, and the Jets will also return two developmental players at tight end in Kenny Yeboah and Jeremy Ruckert — both of whom are serviceable NFL players.

The Verdict on Bowers to the Jets

If the Jets have the option to pick between Brock Bowers and the third receiver in the class they should likely take the wide receiver. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets have no long-term plans at wide receiver making Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, or Marvin Harrison Jr extremely attractive. While first-round tight ends have stuck around the NFL, they haven't had as much success as those taken after the first round. The likelihood of hitting on a receiver at the top of the draft is much higher than a first-round tight end becoming a star.

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