SB Nation Mock Draft: Colts select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with 15th pick

The Colts added a versatile receiving tight end weapon, Brock Bowers, to aid Anthony Richardson’s development.

With the 15th overall pick in the 2024 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Here’s how the mock draft board fell before the Colts’ called in the prized tight end’s name at No. 15:

1. QB Caleb Williams, USC

2. Drake Maye, QB UNC

3. Jayden Daniels, QB LSU

4. JJ McCarthy, QB Michigan

5. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR OSU

6. Rome Odunze, WR Washington

7. Malik Nabers, WR LSU

8. Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame

9. Michael Penix Jr., QB Washington

10. Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State

11. J.C. Latham, OT Alabama

12. Bo Nix, QB Oregon

13. Dallas Turner, Edge Alabama

14. Troy Fautanu, OT Washington

With the ‘Big 3’ wide receivers off the board, it really became a three-horse race for consideration with the 15th overall pick between Bowers, as well as a pair of standout cornerbacks: Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold.

In the end though, despite the Colts’ clear need at cornerback, the offensive versatility of Bowers was too much to pass up here, especially when looking to further complement second-year starting quarterback Anthony Richardson and elevate the Indy passing game.

Regarding Bowers, the 6’3, 243-pound junior tight end caught 56 receptions for 714 receiving yards (12.8 yards-per-reception average) and six touchdown receptions during 10 starts in 2023—earning unanimous All-American First-Team honors and the John Mackey Award, presented to college football’s most outstanding tight end (the latter for a consecutive season).

He’s been highly regarded as the latest modern-day Swiss Army knife ‘move’ tight end with his ability to line up in-line, in the slot, and even occasionally outside. Quite frankly, Bowers is a ‘yards-after-catch’ receiving machine with his ability to be featured in the slot, on tight end screens, and in the flats. He also can separate down the seam with explosive playmaking vertically.

He would add so many new wrinkles to Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s offense, notably in the RPO game too, and is considered one of the best tight end prospects to come out in recent memory.

Here’s his scouting report via NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah:

“Bowers is an undersized tight end with elite speed, strength and playmaking ability. He lined up all over the field at Georgia — in-line, on the wing, split out and even at running back. He is very sudden in his release, and he uses his upper-body strength to chuck defenders when pressed at the line of scrimmage. He catches a lot of quick-hitters in the flat and he’s a maniac on screens. He attacks the ball in the air and is quick to transition up the field. He has the speed to pull away, but his greatest asset is his tackle-breaking power. He runs through contact without gearing down. He is an effective run blocker when he can get his hands on opponents, but he will get pressed out by longer-armed edge rushers. Overall, Bowers reminds me a lot of George Kittle, and I see him having a similar impact in the NFL.”

Bowers currently has the best odds (+130) to go to the New York Jets at No. 10 per our friends at DraftKings Sportsbook, but the Colts have the second-best odds to land him at +370.

How are you feeling about this mock draft pick, Colts fans?