Georgia tight end Brock Bowers must overcome one thing if he’s to make a Travis Kelce-sized impact in the NFL

Brock Bowers is the consensus tight end in this year’s NFL Draft.

The former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver is a two-time national champion and three-time All American and is widely expected to be a top-10 pick in this month’s draft.

The 21-year-old led Georgia in receptions (56), receiving yards (714) and touchdowns (6) last season and drew comparisons to Chiefs star Travis Kelce, but a draft expert thinks he has a major obstacle to overcome. if he wants to make serious waves in the NFL.

This obstacle?

Size.

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller spoke exclusively to talkSPORT about those Kelce comparisons and what gets overlooked when discussing Bowers.

“He’s (Bowers) a little smaller,” Miller said.

“I think it’s something that’s overlooked. Travis is 6-foot-5 and his weight has changed throughout his career, he’s lost a little bit of weight.

“Brock Bowers was just 6 feet 1 inch tall, or just over 240 pounds. He’s actually a little undersized for his position.

“He’s probably a 4.6 to 4.7 guy (in the 40-yard dash), which is good, really good. But he’s not this transcendent athlete.

“He’s just a really, really good football player.”

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Bowers has a lot of potential and has been touted as one of the best TEs in college football history.

He is the only player in history to win the John Mackey Award – given to the nation’s top tight end – twice since the award’s inception in 2000, and holds the UGA school record for receiving touchdowns in only one season with 13.

“Right away you could tell he only knew one speed,” Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken said ahead of the 2021 College Football Playoff.

“He would be 10 yards in front of all the other guys. He worked at his own pace to be the best he could be, and that’s a rare quality to show up the way he did.

“So right away you could see this guy is different.”

According to a PFF scouting report: “Bowers is one of the most complete tight end prospects to ever enter the NFL.

“His build speed is good for the NFL, which is why he has elite ability after the catch. He also has some of the strongest hands you’ll see for a tight end.

“As a blocker, he might be the strongest pound-for-pound tight end you can find.

The report adds: “In addition to being smaller, Bowers is a dream prospect for the tight end.

“Add his reliable blocking ability on the line and in space, and you have an ultimate offensive weapon with All-Pro potential.”

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It remains to be seen where Bowers ultimately lands, but several mock drafts have suggested the New York Jets will take him 10th overall.

In his latest mock draft, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks writes: “With the team in win-now mode and Aaron Rodgers nearing the end of his career, the Jets could opt to take a pass catcher who can dominate the middle ground. “.

Likewise, Chad Reuter of NFL.com thinks Bowers could play in New York next season.

“The Jets finally landed a veteran receiver in Mike Williams, prompting them to focus on the best tight end in this class. Bowers would be a great target for Aaron Rodgers and a strong blocker for Breece Hall,” Reuters wrote.

Interestingly, CBS Sports’ latest mock draft has Bowers going to the Chiefs with the No. 32 pick and teaming with Kelce.

“If Brock is sitting here at 32, that’s the easiest choice for me,” he says.

“He’s a difference-maker and he’ll have an opportunity to learn from Travis Kelce. Whenever Travis Kelce decides to stop and prepare for his Canton Hall of Fame invitation, you have his heir apparent right there. WAITING backstage, right there in the building.”

Bowers has a lot of work to do to emulate Kelce’s Hall of Fame-worthy career, but the potential is clearly there.

During his freshman season in 2021, Bowers set UGA records for single-season receptions (56), receiving yards (882) and touchdowns (13).

He then eclipsed his own receiving records as a tight end in 2022 with 63 catches for 942 yards.

Bowers missed two games in 2023 due to injury, but still totaled 56 receptions for 714 yards and seven total touchdowns.

As a projected top 10 pick, he’s already ahead of where Kelce was coming out of college.

The Chiefs star went relatively unnoticed in 2013 and was selected in the third round (No. 63), but nevertheless became one of the all-time greats at his position.

Whoever ultimately selects Bowers is hoping for a similar career trajectory.