Well to be fair I think the list is really just two guys…Kelce recently and Gronk before him. There are very few difference making TEs in the league…if Bowers is going to become Kelce, he’s absolutely worth the 10th overall but you’d have to be damn sure he will be.
That's reasonable. I've never said that Bowers wasn't a very talented and great prospect. The concern you have is what I have. With Hackett as our TE, is he capable or willing to completely overhaul/change his offense to make the TEa big focus of the offense? Even if he's willing, I don't think he's capable of doing it successfully. We saw plenty of examples of his "creativity" last season. Two receivers in the same area, few schemed open, and on and on. Granted, one doesn't draft a player for only his rookie season, but what's to say if the Jets have a winning season even with underutilizing Bowers that Hackett won't be back next year as OC? As you said, if he's not going to be utilized correctly and put in a position in which he can succeed and shine, it would be dumb to draft him. Did Hackett put players in a position to succeed last season? No. I also cannot forget the future. With no OT presently on the roster who I want anywhere near a starting position, there's no way I want to go into next offseason without single starting-caliber OT on the roster. We know the Jets cap is going to be very tight next year due to Rodgers' contact, dead money, Reed and MC needing to be extended, and Sauce, G. Wilson, JJ and Breece needing to be extended, so even if there are quality starting LTs and RTs in FA, the Jets may not be able to afford any of them. Then if the draft doesn't equal this one for quality and depth of OTs, the Jets would be screwed, and if JD, Saleh and company had all been fired, how are the Jets going to be able to hire a competent GM and HC with no quality OTs on the roster, the inability to sign even one in FA, and there being no good options in the draft?
Hockenson hasn't been great shakes. Vernon Davis was very good, but didn't re-write the record books as many believed he would. There have been more 1st round TEs who weren't great than those who were. While that doesn't mean that Bowers can't be different, the odds are against it.
Yes true…they are both very good as well…but they haven’t pushed their teams into the Super Bowl…not really fair to hold that against them obviously but I was just responding to the point that TEs are so prevalent in the Super Bowl…I guess the real takeaway is that when you have a difference-making TE, they can REALLY make a difference…but it just feels like the nature of the position is such that it’s extremely difficult to find a true superstar at that spot. I haven’t watched Bowers personally, so I can’t speak to how likely it is that he will dominate in the NFL, but honestly I am not in favor of a TE at 10…neither Kelce nor Gronk were drafted that high by the way. I think OT is a much bigger need for us as we have two good starting OTs now but both older and Smith hasn’t played a full season in a long time. We’ll need someone to step in at OT at some point this season most likely
Nice. You're a Moderator and supposed to set an example of how to discuss things. You don't get to be snarky and condescending because you're a moderator. You can keep your disrespect. If you can't discuss in a logical, respectful manner then I don't need to discuss anything further with you. FTR, I can't stand to watch Joe B's videos, but I respect him because he watches every play and he breaks them down, and he's right far more often than he's wrong. He's also being paid to review players. Are you? Who are you to sneer at him? Just because you've watched every snap Bowers played doesn't mean jack. Your opinion is no better than mine or anyone else's.
Kelce and Gronk both have quirky draft stories. They both lost a full season of college ball, which no doubt set them both back. Gronk was trending toward a first round pick but missed his entire junior season with a back injury and went straight into the draft. Kelce lost his whole sophomore season because he likes weed, but when he got back on the field he was trending upward also. If you haven't seen much of Bowers, I'd offer two games to watch. There are plenty more, but two stand out as games UGA only won because of him - the 2022 playoff semifinal against Ohio State and the 2023 Georgia game against Auburn. The second half of both, when UGA was on the brink of losing.
How much of that has to do with AOC at QB and the NFL scheme he was in though? Mayer isn't even close to the prospect of Bowers either. Fair point though.
I think this is a good piece of evidence and should be accepted as such on the board from most posters. Most guys on here are decent football people and if they've watched every snap of a guy for 3 or 4 years in college, thats surely more evidence than most writers and blog guys have. And its better than combine data for sure.
Sensible explanations: 1. Top 10 TE prospects have the second highest bust rate behind only QBs, but their close. Even when they don't bust, they don't live up to their draft position. Its a major gamble, and this has been proven so often now thats its viewed as a trap pick. 2. Our o-line needs depth for this season, and talent for the future. If our line struggles our whole offense, including TE, will struggle. We're also losing both starting tackles at the end of the year. 3. Getting a stud WR at 10 is a much better value. WR contracts are huge compared to TEs, and having one on a rookie contract is a safer and smarter route at 10. We are still thin at WR as well, and will be very thin next year. 4. TE isn't a position of need on our current roster. This is pretty straight forward. Next off season we're going to need everything we needed this season, and a lot more, with limited money. Luxury picks are for winning teams, big gamble luxury picks can ruin building teams. 5. The best TEs are found in rounds 2-4, without wasting a high pick. At worst, a pick in the 20s is doable. When I want an NFL ready TE I look to Iowa, not Georgia. These are all sensible. Even if Bowers pans out, as a 21 year old rookie he would be an okay pick for this "all in season". Going BPA at an already stocked position, with so many future holes, would be poor team building going forward.
You're right. Shame on me for making fun of Joe B of X Factor. I'll stick to making fun of his Bowers report, where he stuck his neck out and opined that "Bowers could be great, or he could only be so-so." I don't follow Joe B's stuff, so I'll have to take your word that's what he said. Such a bold analysis.
I would still address OL at 72, you hope that between pick 72 and Carter Warren you get at least one T spot filled for 2025. I'm not saying you have this idea instilled in you, but this idea by some that every pick on your OL has to be a top 10 or first round talent just isn't true. It's asinine. Plenty of good teams find players throughout the draft along the OL who are serviceable and develop. There are other premium positions on a football team. Convo for another day, but Sauce, GW, and JJ don't need to be addressed until 2026 the earliest. Not worried in the slightest about that or the cap for 2025. They are 70m under and have 45m or so in max restructures they can make assuming they wanted to do it again.
I would remind everyone that year after year "sure things" in the draft fail in the NFL. Conklin has six years of experience and has written his resume. In the NFL, Bowers is...promising.
One part of me says, "No fuckin' way!". The other part of me says, "SOJ!". I'm going to split the difference and say "Click bait".
This is the most sensible assessment I've read so far on why taking Bowers at #10 isn't a good idea for this team. Maybe for some team that has a good OL, above average (at least) QB, and an OC that knows how to use somebody like Bowers, but that team isn't us. The only way NOT taking an LT at #10 makes sense is if Douglas doesn't think the ones available can be contributors this and starters next year. And if that's the case, it makes more sense to trade back and try and get a 2nd rounder back. Failing that, I'd take the best WR that compliments GW and our proposed offense. Too many busted TEs for me to think Bowers would be any different for us.
Not to mention the guy NC thinks is a paid expert owns the website he posts on, that's like saying Petro knows more about football than other posters just because he owns this website. No offense Petro
