Chargers News: Assessing Draft Fit Of Brock Bowers For Bolts
After a disappointing 2023 season, your Los Angeles Chargers have the fifth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. It's not a position many of us thought they'd be in; however, they can get a game-changer with this pick, specifically a pass catcher.
There are a ton of great options to choose from in that category, and they could either get an elite wide receiver or decide to go with Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers has emerged as one of the best overall prospects in this year's class. Because of that, he's projected to be a top-10 pick, and many pundits believe the Chargers could be in play for him.
There's no doubt about his talent and the need for a position in LA. However, is it worth drafting a guy like Bowers, who has a ton of promise, or will it come back to haunt them a couple of years down the road? If you ask The Atheltic's Daniel Popper, Browers is a good fit as any other pass catcher in the draft.
From a fit perspective, the pick makes sense. The Chargers, with a new general manager and new head coach, could be overhauling their entire tight end room for 2024. Gerald Everett is set to hit free agency. Donald Parham Jr. is entering the final year of a two-year deal, but the Chargers can save $1.1 million in space by cutting him, according to Over the Cap. Stone Smartt is also in the final year of his deal, and the Chargers can save about $1 million in space by cutting him, according to Over the Cap. And Nick Vannett, a midseason acquisition who played 125 offensive snaps for the Chargers in 2023, is set to hit free agency.
As Popper stated, the Chargers have lacked in the tight end position for quite a while. If we're being honest, they haven't been lethal or have had a threat in the TE position since Antonio Gates. It's been a while since then, and maybe Bowers could be the guy. However, there are a ton of great pass catchers like wide receivers Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, or even Marvin Harrison Jr. if he drops to five.
The options are unlimited.
However, is drafting a tight end at number five worth it due to the positional value? Here's Popper once again on that topic.
The unavoidable caveat with drafting Bowers this high is positional value. According to Over the Cap, Bowers would have an $11.997 million cap hit in 2027, the fourth year of his rookie deal. For context, only eight tight ends have a higher cap hit for this coming season. Effectively, Bowers would have to emerge as a top-10 tight end by the final year of his deal to align his value with the contract. The only way the Chargers would get significant surplus value on the rookie deal is if Bowers becomes a top-five tight end.
That is a lot of money for a tight end. Although Bowers is capable of becoming a high-level, tight end by the time his first contract is up, you never know. Take a look at the Falcons' tight end, Kyle Pitts. He came out of Florida with a ton of hype and high regard. But for one reason or another, he's hardly looked like a good tight end for three years.
You never know, especially if LA keeps veterans like Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, or Keenan Allen.
The good thing is that the Chargers have options, whether they go with Bowers or an elite wide receiver.
