Who does Peter Schrager have the New York Jets taking in his “sourced” mock draft?

Another mock draft, another Brock Bowers

Often, mock drafts are a best guess. People read/make scouting reports, look at team needs, account for the publicly available leaks, and then go from there.

But just because that’s usually the case doesn’t mean it’s always the case. This week, Peter Schrager of NFL Network released a mock draft that was built on a different premise, which is what he’s hearing based on his higher level connections. As he wrote in that piece, “REMINDER: As always, this isn’t what I would do — it’s what I’m hearing from my sources around the league.” Given that he’s such a prominent member of NFL media, I figure he might know a thing or two that others might not and that his picks might be worth discussing.

So what is unique about Schrager’s mock?

Well quite a few things, including two noteworthy tradeups:

• The New York Giants trading up with the Arizona Cardinals to pick 4 to take quarterback J.J. McCarthy
• The Los Angeles Chargers taking wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at pick 5
• The Arizona Cardinals taking wide receiver Rome Odunze at pick 6 before Malik Nabers
• The Indianapolis Colts trading up with the Chicago Bears to pick 9 to seemingly jump the New York Jets and take wide receiver Malik Nabers

And then, after all of that, the Jets do the thing that most seem to be projecting them to do lately: they take tight end Brock Bowers. Schrager’s rationale for this selection was as follows:

This is a special prospect. In fact, I’ve been told by multiple general managers that I’m not high enough on Bowers and that his ability after the catch sets him apart from just about every tight end prospect since Kyle Pitts. Excellent player, a winner and another weapon for Aaron Rodgers to exploit — this pairing does indeed make a ton of sense.

If the Jets do go this route, then fingers crossed that Bowers is every bit as special as many claim he is.