NFL Coaches Shade Brock Bowers: 'Less Explosive' and 'an Expensive Luxury Item'

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers was almost a cheat code in college, but fans might have to reset their expectations for the 6'3" pass-catcher.

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman spoke to one NFL scout who said Bowers "is a real athlete" but "smaller and a little less explosive than people thought."

"I see him as a really good starter," the scout said. "I think he's gonna be in the slot as more of an F-tight end. Evan Engram is a good comp. Evan's faster but probably not as physical."

Feldman cited an offensive assistant who stuck a similar tone.

"I think he'll be an expensive luxury item," the coach said. "I think Bowers has more route-running wherewithal and savvy than Engram. At least I'm hoping, for his sake."

Bowers caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns in his three yeras with the Bulldogs, and that production may not tell the full story of how much he could impact a game.

The physical edge Bowers enjoyed in college obviously won't be the same in the NFL, but the comments from the sources in Feldman's piece were a bit surprising.

The two-time John Mackey Award winner reportedly ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash in a private workout, which is a solid time for a player of his size. Rob Gronkowski, who's two inches taller and was 18 pounds heavier, ran a 4.68 40 before the 2010 draft. Travis Kelce was clocked at 4.61 seconds in 2013, while George Kittle (4.52) was right there with Bowers in 2017.

Bowers is smaller than those three but not to a degree where you'd think it would dramatically lower his NFL ceiling.

No player is ever guaranteed to be a hit in the pros. In the case of Bowers, you at least feel good about the likelihood of him carving out a solid NFL career and becoming a consistent aerial target.