NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Broncos Suggested as 'Dark-Horse' Brock Bowers Landing Spot

The Denver Broncos could reportedly have interest in selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, an anonymous NFL scout named Denver as a "dark-horse possibility" for Bowers due to the organization's desire to add more offensive playmakers.

Bowers was a superstar during his three collegiate seasons at Georgia, and he is viewed as the unquestioned top tight end in the 2024 draft class.

As a freshman in 2021, Bowers recorded 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns, which is rare for a first-year player at the tight end position. Bowers then helped the Bulldogs win their second of back-to-back national titles in 2022 by racking up 63 catches for 942 yards and seven scores.

Bowers was limited to 10 games last season due to injury, but he still made a massive impact when he played, finishing with 56 grabs for 714 yards and six touchdowns.

The Broncos, who will pick 12th in the draft, got next to nothing out of their tight ends last season from a pass-catching perspective.

Adam Trautman, who is set to become a free agent, was Denver's leading receiver among tight ends in 2023, finishing with 22 receptions for 204 yards and three touchdowns.

Among tight ends who the Broncos have under contract for next season, Lucas Krull had eight catches, Nate Adkins had four, Greg Dulcich had three and Chris Manhertz had two.

Last season was offensive guru Sean Payton's first as head coach in Denver, and while he led the Broncos to an improved 8-9 record, they were only 26th in the NFL in total offense and 19th in scoring offense.

Barring trades or releases, the Broncos are set to return a talented receiving corps comprised of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims Jr., but an athletic tight end Brock Bowers would make life easier for whoever the starting quarterback is in 2024.

The Broncos announced Monday that they will release veteran quarterback Russell Wilson once the new league year begins on March 13.

One thing that could prevent the Broncos from taking Bowers if he is still on the board at 12th overall is their need for a quarterback. The big three quarterbacks in USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels will almost certainly be off the board when Denver picks, but No. 12 could be prime position for Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, Oregon's Bo Nix or Washington's Michael Penix Jr.

However, if the Broncos address the quarterback position by signing a veteran like Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield, or trading for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, Bowers becomes a much more real possibility.