Here’s a breakdown of my top 10 rookie tight ends ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Brock Bowers, Georgia
If you’ve been following the NFL draft cycle even in passing, you already know who Brock Bowers is. The phenom prospect broke out as a true freshman with 882 yards and 13 scores. He exploded with another 942 yards in his sophomore season and even rushed for over 100 yards and three more scores in the same season. Bowers “fell” to 714 yards in 2023, but that was in five fewer games than either of his previous two seasons. His career yards per route run of 2.6 and 8.5 YAC per reception are both otherworldly for a tight end prospect, let alone one with rushing production and a strong blocking resume coming out of Georgia.
Not only is Bowers one of the most efficient YAC producers in recent memory, but his ability to maintain that efficiency on absurd volume gives him record-setting counting stats. Bowers wasn’t a screen merchant though. He had a career aDOT of 8.2.
The knocks on Bowers’ game are slight at most. He measured at 6-3, 243 pounds and didn’t participate in any of the drills. He also skipped the drills at his Pro Day. Given that his size was expected to be a sticking point at the combine, Bowers likely bulked up for his weigh-in which would have slowed his times had he run. He is small for an NFL tight end and is probably just a really good—but not great—athlete. Bowers also ran over 50 percent of his routes from the slot in Georgia. His role in the NFL won’t be that of a traditional, inline tight end. And that’s okay. If that’s the only red flag on his profile, he’s going to be just fine.
From the perspective of this silly little game we play, I have one more issue. In most dynasty leagues, you can start at least three receivers. Many let you start five or more. This class is loaded with receiver talent and you’re starting five times as many wideouts as tight ends. Just getting a WR2 is a big hit whereas Bowers has to be a top-five…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rookie-dynasty-rankings-2024-125744204.html
Author : NBC Sports
Publish date : 2024-04-08 12:57:44
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