Blinksportsnews247In the 2024 NFL Draft, it was anticipated that the Cincinnati Bengals would trade up for Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in order to add another potent weapon to complement quarterback Joe Burrow.
From A to Z During a mock draft on February 26, sports assistant editor Destin Adams presented the trade idea, which would have switched the Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders at picks Nos. 13 and 18. The complete proposed compensation in this fictitious contract was as follows:
Pick No. 13 goes to the Bengals, who choose TE Brock Bowers.
Raiders receive the 18th pick (CB Quinyon Mitchell), third in 2024, and second in 2025.
“Another trade, as I have the Bengals jumping two teams with the [New Orleans] Saints and [Indianapolis] Colts that I think are real threats to select Brock Bowers,” Adams said. “It may signal the end of Cincinnati’s Tyler Boyd era, but the Bengals tagged Tee Higgins and will probably keep the WR this year.”
“Finding a quick route winner and safety blanket for Joe Burrow to convert first downs and open up the field for their star WR duo is a priority if he’s gone,” the NFL analyst continued. “And I have them locating exactly that in Brock Bowers, a TE from Georgia.”
NFL Network Analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks Brock Bowers, a possible draft target for the Bengals, seventh overall.
Though it’s unknown if NFL general managers would target any tight end in the first 10 of the draft, some view Bowers as a generational talent at the position. On February 26, NFL Network scouting analyst Daniel Jeremiah updated his list of the top 50 prospects, and Bowers came in seventh position for the 2024 class.
Jeremiah reasoned, “Bowers is an undersized tight end with elite speed, strength, and playmaking ability.” “At Georgia, he lined up in line, on the wing, split out, and even at running back.”
The commentator went on to highlight Bowers’s skills as a player, saying, “He uses his upper-body strength to chuck defenders when pressed at the line of scrimmage. He is very sudden in his release.” He’s a maniac on screens and catches a lot of quick hitters on the flat. [Bowers] moves quickly up the field and assaults the ball in the air. Although he can move quickly to get away, his ability to break tackles and sprint through contact without slowing down is his best strength.
Jeremiah described Bowers as a “effective” blocker in the run game, but he also mentioned that “longer-armed edge rushers will press him out.” Comparing his style of play to that of George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, he projected a “similar impact” in the NFL.
For the record, Damian Parson of The Draft Network and Derrik Klassen of Bleacher Report both compared Bowers to Kittle; however, Parson of TDN also included rookie Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions, who is expected to be a secondary comparison.
Bengals Talk About Tee Higgins Franchise Tag Decision and Keep Trade Door Open
On February 23, the Bengals told Higgins that he would be franchised, according to a number of sources, including NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Duke Tobin, director of player personnel, spoke about the choice made during the NFL combine on February 27.
Tobin told reporters, “We feel like we’re a better team with him. As for our intentions going forward and answering hypotheticals of what could and couldn’t come about, I won’t get into that.” We would like to have him, which is why we franchised him. Since he is not bound by a contract, it is difficult for me to foresee every possible outcome.
The chief executive of the Bengals added, “[Higgins] fits us perfectly,” restating the notion that “we tagged him for that reason.”
He declined to comment on whether or not Higgins might be traded later. Bengals media member Ben Baby (ESPN) remembered that Tobin had said something “very different” about Higgins in 2023.
According to Baby, Tobin stated in February of last year, “I’m in the business of making the Cincinnati Bengals better, so trading Tee Higgins is not on my mind.” That’s the issue they have. Go find your own receiver if that is what they desire.
It seems like the trade door is still ajar in 2024, since there is a strong desire for Higgins and the Bengals to be able to come to an extended agreement.
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