The Detroit Lions finished third in yards and fifth in points during the 2023 season. But some NFL mock draft experts have still projected the team to target a skilled position player early in the 2024 NFL draft. On March 30, SI.com’s All Lions’ Christian Booher proposed the possibility of the Lions making a bold trade up the draft board to land Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.
Booher argued that with Bowers added to Detroit’s offense, the unit would become “unstoppable.”
“By adding Bowers, it would allow the Lions to utilize 12 personnel groupings without the opponent being able to scheme against the run. Detroit has built its identity around a run-oriented attack with two strong running backs, but Bowers’ abilities as a pass-catcher would force the defense to stay aware of the pass,” wrote Booher.
“The Georgia product is a strong route runner with elite catching abilities. His athleticism is also among the best in the Draft class.
“Additionally, Bowers would be a matchup nightmare next to Sam LaPorta. Should defenses stack the box to stymie the run, either Bowers or LaPorta would command a favorable matchup against a linebacker or undersized defensive back.
“With so many talented threats across the board, Johnson’s group would be among the most feared in the league.”
Bowers is widely regarded as one of the best prospects not only at pass catcher but among all positions in the 2024 draft class. ESPN, Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report all have Bowers ranked as a top 10 prospect in the class.
Georgia TE Brock Bowers Offers Lions Chance to be ‘Unstoppable?’
Booher offered an excellent breakdown of how the Lions offense could reach yet another level with the arrival of Bowers.
Essentially, Sam LaPorta and Bowers would never have to leave the field because both can run block and catch passes. Such an offense would make it very difficult for opposing defenses to recognize if the Lions intend to run or pass.
Those opposing defenses would essentially have to pick their poise with their own personnel groups.
“Prolific pass-catching tight end with a rare blend of acceleration, speed, body control and hands that could breathe new life into a stale NFL offense,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “He’ll be an adequate move blocker and give effort at the point of attack, but that is the one area where his game falls short of George Kittle’s, for comparison purposes.
“It might take a year for him to acclimate to defenders who are bigger, faster and longer, but he appears destined to become a highly productive NFL player with Pro Bowl upside.”
Bleacher Report’s consensus rankings has Bowers rated as the No. 2 prospect in the entire 2024 draft class. The only prospect BR has ranked higher is wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
What It Would Cost for Lions to Trade Up for Brock Bowers
The problem with Booher’s proposal of Detroit making its offense unstoppable by trading up for Bowers is the cost. Moving up for the Georgia tight end will be very expensive.
Bowers is going as high as No. 5 overall in some mock drafts. Booher implied that’s likely not a realistic jump the Lions can make from No. 29 overall.
If Bowers dropped out of the top 10 on draft night, though, then the window for the Lions moving up for the Georgia tight end could be there.
There’s a precedence for that type of move. Two years ago, the Lions traded up from No. 32 to 12 to land wide receiver Jameson Williams.
However, the Lions had a lot more draft capital to work with in 2022. To move up 20 spots to No. 12, Detroit gave up the No. 32, 34 and 66 selections. In return, they received the No. 12 and 46 picks.
Other than No. 29 overall, the Lions only have two other selections in the first four rounds this year.
