Why Georgia’s Brock “Bow Wow” Bowers is a unique and special fit for Drew Petzing’s offense
Let’s get one thing straight about Brock Bowers right from the get-go —- one cannot simply characterize this All-American Georgia Bulldog as a TE —- because he is a fullback, H-Back, big WR (slot and wide) and TE all in one 6-3, 241-pound package.
This week Brock Bowers ran a 4.53 at his pro day.
Think about this:
Here is how Brock Bowers stacks up against these 2023 1st and 2nd Team All-Pros:
- Brock Bowers (GA) —- 6-3. 241—- 4.53
- George Kittle (SF) —- 6-4, 247 —- 4.52
- Sam LaPorta (DET) —- 6-3, 245 —- 4.59
- Kyle Juszczyk (SF) —- 6-1, 235 —- 4.71
- CeeDee Lamb (DAL) —- 6-2, 200 —- 4.50
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) —- 6-0, 202 —- 4.51
- A.J. Brown (PHI) —- 6-1, 226 —- 4.49
- Puka Nacua (LAR) —- 6-2, 205 —- 4.55
- Mike Evans (TB) —- 6-5, 231 —- 4.53
- Brandon Aiyuk (SF) —- 6-0, 205 —- 4.50
Other Notables:
- Travis Kelce (KC) —- 6-5, 250 —- 4.61
- Mark Andrews (BAL) —- 6.5, 256 —- 4.67
In this era of the NFL, winning the middle of the field is the formula for winning games.
Notice that every one of the NFL players listed above helped to lead their teams to playoff berths in 2023.
The amazing thing is —-> Brock Bowers comps in a combination of ways to each of the players above.
Past 4 Mackey Award Winners:
- 2020 —- Kyle Pitts (ATL) —- 6-6, 245 —- 4.44
- 2021 —- Trey McBride (ARI) —- 6-4, 246 —- 4.54
- 2022 —- Brock Bowers (GA) —- 6-3, 241 —- 4.53
- 2023 —- Brock Bowers (GA) —- 6-3, 241 —- 4.53
With Trey McBride, do the Cardinals really need another TE?
Actually, the Cardinals have a significant need for an H-Back to compliment Trey McBride as a classic “Y” in-line tight end. Again, one has to acknowledge Brock Bowers’ extraordinary versatility as a combination FB, HB, WR, TE. Plus, in short yardage situations, he can be used, if need be, as a power RB.
Brock Bowers plays at one speed —- full-bore every play.
⭐️⭐️ @GeorgiaFootball pic.twitter.com/P7HOeQJ9CX
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 11, 2024
There are 5 Elite Prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft According to @NextGenStats
Malik Nabers JUST missed with a grade of 89 but interesting to see Marvin Harrison Jr. didn’t grade out Elite. He was given a Grade of 87. pic.twitter.com/hof19haq0k
— Monte (@MONTECRI5TO) March 6, 2024
Bowers’ Affordability Long-Term:
Click on the video —- a great point former Broncos’ TE Jake Butt (2016 Mackey Award winner from Michigan) makes that has been overlooked is —- to keep a top TE for his career is WAY more affordable than a top WR.
“This guy [Brock Bowers] might be the best prospect at his position of all-time.” @Jbooty88 with the highest of praise for Brock Bowers https://t.co/V074V4q398 pic.twitter.com/x1MLiXzl1i
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 18, 2024
The best TE prospect in NFL history
If Waller retires the Giants might wanna think about taking Brock Bowers at 6 pic.twitter.com/fhGPpmXxLl
— evin (@KayvonOjulari) March 15, 2024
Why Brock Bowers is the ideal pick for the Arizona Cardinals:
- He is a supreme fit in Drew Petzing’s offense.
- He has the ability to be the most dynamic, versatile, taller receiver in the draft class (checks the box for those who believe that Kyler is better off throwing to taller receivers).
- He dominates the middle of the football field.
- He is a very aggressive and effective blocker as an H-Back (a position of need for Cardinals in their 12 and 13 personnel heavy offense).
- He keeps the focus of the Cardinals’ new offense where it should be —- running the football and beating teams over the middle off of play action.
- To have two stud TEs in Trey McBride and Brock Bowers means that if either of them miss a game, the offense can still be utterly prolific.
- He was the stud player for three years (even as a true freshman) on the Bulldogs’ offense for a Georgia team that went 44-2 overall, 24-1 in SEC and won 2 National Championships in 2021 and 2022.
- Plus, how cool would it be for the Cardinals, who now love 12 and 13 personnel more than ever before, to have the past 3 winners of the Mackey Award (Trey McBride 2021, Brock Bowers 2022, 2023 —- with McBride being the classic “Y” TE and Bowers being the classic “H” aka H-Back).
Brock Bowers Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com
“Prolific pass-catching tight end with a rare blend of acceleration, speed, body control and hands that could breathe new life into a stale NFL offense. Bowers was a high-volume target at Georgia and led the team in receiving yards in all three of his college seasons. He plays with relentless pacing as a route runner, allowing him to beat man coverage. Also, he’s highly effective at exploiting zone pockets for first downs and chunk plays. Bowers’ secret sauce might be his ability to rip through tacklers and pile on yardage after the catch.” (Lance Zierlein @ nfl.com)
Brock Bowers Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com
Highlighting Brock Bowers’ Versatility (in 3 quick videos, have a look!):
“He’s more of an offensive weapon than a traditional TE…”@gregcosell breaks down Georgia star Brock Bowers: pic.twitter.com/cCBioz2zj7
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) March 28, 2024
Pretty insane that Brock Bowers was able to turn the corner and get the first down considering the situation when he caught the ball pic.twitter.com/EXVuXauPvC
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) March 20, 2024
Think of how unstoppable Cooper Kupp has been on this play all these years for Rams. Bowers is bigger, stronger and faster.
Finished up TE rankings this week and it’s just a reminder how great Brock Bowers is
So many special plays across 3 years of tape – a really unique weapon at the position
Talked in-depth about the top of this class for @NBCSports ⬇️ :https://t.co/E83xH2ioLf pic.twitter.com/3kbhlQGhup
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) March 22, 2024
Imagine what putting Brock Bowers in motion out of 12 or 13 personnel could do for Drew Petzing’s offense in the rushing, passing and play action games. Think too of how the attention to Brock Bowers would be a boon for Trey McBride. How can teams cover them?
ROTB Poll:
How did you vote and why?
Note: One other 2024 NFL Draft prospect has caught up with Brock Bowers into a tie as my #1 offensive playmaker. I will explain who that player is (and why) when I profile the “Top Ten 2024 prospects for the Arizona Cardinals” on Friday’s Red Rain Podcast.