Rams Draft 'Unique Weapon' in Future NFL Mock

In an early look ahead to the 2024 NFL Mock Draft, the Los Angeles Rams add a weapon for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

With coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive tackle Aaron Donald all facing uncertain futures beyond the 2023 season, it's especially difficult to project whether the Los Angeles Rams will bounce back from a disappointing 5-12 campaign in 2022. 

It's even harder to project what the team would be looking for in the 2024 NFL Draft, but that doesn't mean it's not a fun exercise to undergo during a slow period. 

Pro Football Network recently released their latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, and had the Rams using the No. 10 overall pick on Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.  

"If Stafford and Cooper Kupp continue to be franchise pillars and they find Bowers on the board, L.A. has to think about continuing to build upon their strengths," PFN wrote. "Bowers isn’t just a tight end but projects as a legitimate top receiving option in the NFL. It’s hard to pass up on more premium positions, but Bowers is the right blend of an elite prospect and unique weapon for Sean McVay that they can’t pass on." 

When you see the impact that tight ends like Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers have had on their teams in recent years, it's fair to wonder if tight end -- at least if you believe you can acquire an elite one -- has become a premium position. Heck, the Atlanta Falcons aren't even a pass-first team and still used the No. 4 overall pick on Kyle Pitts in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

We would also say that outside of Kupp, now 30, the Rams have almost no short or long-term certainty among their pass-catching options. Tight end Tyler Higbee is a nice player, but he's also 30 and not so productive that he would keep you from taking another tight end that you were smitten with. 

Bowers had 63 catches for 942 yards in 2022 for a Georgia team that won the National Championship. In two seasons for the Bulldogs, Bowers has hauled in 20 touchdowns. He very much feels like someone who will go in the first half of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

And who knows, maybe if the Rams struggle enough to have a top-10 pick in 2024, it will be Stetson Bennett -- Bowers' former college teammate -- under center next season. 

You can follow Tim Kelly @TimKellySports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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