There’s one clear favorite to select former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in next month’s NFL Draft. But the betting value may be with a few dark horse teams that may draft what many are calling the best tight end in the draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers are the favorite to draft Bowers at +320 but there’s been a few mock drafts that have linked Chicago (+1000) and Denver (+1400) to one of college football’s best tight ends. Here’s what the BetMGM oddsmakers are saying:
- Los Angeles Chargers +320
- Indianapolis Colts +450
- Cincinnati Bengals +600
- Tennessee Titans +750
- New York Jets +900
- Chicago Bears +1000
- New Orleans Saints +1400
- Denver Broncos +1400
The Favorite: Chargers +320 to draft Bowers
Gerald Everett didn’t provide a ton of production for Los Angeles last season at the tight end position. Everett, who turns 30 this summer caught three touchdowns and averaged just over four targets per contest, which was down from the 5.4 he averaged per game in 2022. Adding another target for Justin Herbert would be ideal for the Chargers and new head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Los Angeles holds the fifth pick in the draft and while that may seem like a high spot to draft a tight end, Bowers can definitely provide production that is worth it. He had 31 total touchdowns in his career at Georgia and finished with 175 catches and 2,358 receiving yards in three seasons. If the Chargers or any other team in the top 10 were to select Bowers, he’d become only the sixth tight end drafted in the top 10 in the last 24 years.
The Darkhorse Part 1: Chicago Bears +1000 to draft Bowers
Pro Football Focus had Chicago taking Bowers with its ninth overall pick in their latest post-combine mock draft. It would be an interesting move by the Bears considering they have 25-year-old Cole Kmet at the tight end position but pairing Bowers up potentially with Caleb Williams is a dynamic duo. Kmet did sign a four year, $50 million extension in 2023 and has 13 touchdowns over the last two seasons with Chicago.
There’s a strong chance three wide receivers could be drafted before the Bears get to their second pick of the first round. If Chicago wants to load up on offense early in this draft, Bowers may be the best pass catcher available at the No. 9 spot.
The Darkhorse Part 2: Denver Broncos +1400 to draft Bowers
Denver made headlines this week by releasing Russell Wilson, who was traded for five draft picks and three players in 2022. The Broncos have the 12th pick in April’s draft and while a quarterback is a definite need, so is a tight end.
Adam Trautman led Denver at the position last season and had 22 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns but he’s now a free agent. The Broncos four other tight ends who are under contract for 2024-25 had a combined 17 catches. Bowers would fill a hole in Sean Payton’s offense without question. Future Hall of Fame tight end Jimmy Graham had major success with Payton when the two were in New Orleans from 2010-2014. Could we see Bowers have the same success with Payton in Denver? It could make sense and at +1400 there’s a ton of value.
The three time All-American is a dynamite prospect that will give one NFL team strong play at the tight end position for years to come. Will it be with Chargers, who are the odds on favorite to draft him? Or can a dark horse team emerge to select the Georgia Bulldog great? Odds provided are via BetMGM Sportsbook.