Report: Broncos head coach Sean Payton is a “big fan” of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers

According to a report, the Broncos head coach Sean Payton is reportedly a big fan of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

According to the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson, Broncos head coach Sean Payton is reportedly a big fan of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Bowers is arguably one of the better overall prospects in the draft and reportedly one Payton is a big fan of. It remains to be seen if Bowers makes it to 12th overall, but if the Broncos do not go quarterback in the first round, he could be a name to watch.

“On offense, Payton is a big fan of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. It remains to be seen if he still would be available at No. 12 and how much the Broncos might be running out of patience on often-injured tight end Greg Dulcich, but few scouts are questioning the talent of Bowers”

is a 6-3, 243-pound tight end who is viewed as a potential top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Bowers played a total of three seasons at Georgia and quickly turned into one of the best tight ends in the Nation during that span. During his three seasons, he totaled 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. He added 19 career rushing attempts for 193 yards and 5 touchdowns. This past season for the Bulldogs, he totaled 56 receptions for 714 yards and 6 touchdowns while adding 6 rushing attempts for 28 yards and 1 rushing touchdown.

The Athletic’s lead draft analyst Dane Brugler ranked as his top tight end in the draft and as his seventh overall player in the 2024 NFL Draft. He calls Bowers an explosive pass catcher who creates mismatches all over the field and gives you George Kittle type upside at the tight end position.

A three-year starter at Georgia, Bowers was the featured weapon in offensive coordinator Mike Bobo’s scheme, lining up across the formation, with his career snaps spread between the slot (52.2 percent), inline (36.6 percent) and wide (9.5 percent). He led the team in receiving each of his three seasons in Athens and joined Herschel Walker and David Pollack as the only three-time first team All-Americans in school history. He also became the first two-time winner of the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. With both short-area burst and long speed, Bowers makes quick, dynamic cuts to create spacing as a route runner and hits another gear with the ball in his hands to be a home-run threat. He is a natural hands-catcher outside his frame and snatches without breaking stride. His physicality (before the catch, after the catch and as a blocker) is almost as impressive as his athletic traits, although his lack of ideal size and length will show in some inline blocking situations. Overall, Bowers is an explosive pass catcher who creates mismatches all over the field with speed, ball skills and competitive edge. He has NFL star potential in the mold of George Kittle, if he lands with a play caller prepared to feature his unique and versatile talent.

As we know, the Broncos have a major need at quarterback, but if they cannot trade up for one, or one of the big four does not fall to 12th overall, they could turn their attention to Bowers. They need playmakers on offense and Bowers could instantly become their number on target on offense. Pairing a talent like Bowers with a play-caller and offensive mind like Payton could pay dividends for the Broncos.

With that said, taking a tight end at 12th overall is a bit of a luxury pick, and a tight end that early is poor positional value, especially for a rebuilding team like the Broncos. However, the upside of pairing him with Payton is intriguing even with their quarterback situation.

Bowers is routinely mocked to the New York Jets at 10th overall and could be considered by the Bears at 9th overall, so it is possible he may not even be an option for the Broncos. If he is available at 12th overall and the Broncos are not going quarterback, they may have some serious discussions about him in their war room on draft night.