The New England Patriots need playmakers on both sides of the football, but offense should be the focal point heading into the offseason.
Mock drafts already have the team selecting high in 2024. ESPN’s latest mock draft has New England selecting tight end Brock Bowers from Georgia at No. 7 overall.
Bowers is perhaps the best tight end in college football. He currently has 41 receptions for 567 yards and four touchdowns. He is an explosive playmaker, averaging 13.8 yards per reception this year and 14.9 yards per reception for his career. He is currently out with an ankle injury.
New England could use playmakers at the tight end position. Mike Gesicki is on a one-year deal, and Hunter Henry is a free agent after the 2024 season.
The Patriots organization is known for letting veterans walk and restocking the cupboard with younger talent. Bowers could certainly fit that mold. Here’s what ESPN’s Jordan Reid had to say:
You would have to go all the way back to 2010 to find the last time the Patriots drafted an offensive playmaker who turned into a standout player: Rob Gronkowski. And with Bowers sitting atop the best available list, New England can land a special tight end to improve QB Mac Jones’ supporting cast. He’s an ideal fit in the Patriots’ offense. Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki are both scheduled to be free agents, so Bowers would immediately be a go-to option. The Georgia star is out with a left ankle injury, but he had 567 receiving yards over seven games before having surgery.
New England could look to address their QB situation, too, but it’s hard to envision coach Bill Belichick wanting to start over with a young passer. Instead, Bowers could help Jones regain his rookie-season form.
The Georgia star would be a playmaker that New England desperately needs.
They haven’t drafted a playmaking tight end in quite some time, and Bowers could be the perfect player to reinvigorate the position. He could be the type of player to turn Jones’ career around.
