Brock Bowers Should be Georgia's Highest-Picked Skill Player of the Kirby Smart Era

Georgia has seen plenty of first-round picks during Kirby Smart's tenure, but not a ton on the offensive side of the ball. Brock Bowers will change that in April.

Kirby Smart has accomplished a ton since arriving at Georgia in 2016. Two national titles, two SEC Championships, 95 wins, and 55 players drafted in just eight seasons is a ridiculous pace. 

Of the 55 players drafted, 15 have been first-round picks. Of those 15, just five have been offensive players, and all but one were offensive tackles. Georgia has seen all this success under Smart having just one skill position (Sony Michel) player taken in the first round. That will change in April.

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs for a touchdown during the second half against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (10) in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The question isn't if Georgia tight end Brock Bowers will be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft (April 25-27), it's how high will he go? Most mock drafts have the two-time All-American going somewhere in the top 10. If he does get picked there, he will be Georgia's highest-drafted skill player since Todd Gurley was picked at No. 10 overall by the St. Louis Rams in 2015.

Bowers was a star from the moment he stepped foot on Georgia's campus, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors and being named First Team All-ACC all three years he was in school. He holds every Georgia tight end record and should become the school's highest-drafted player at that position ever. Super Bowl champion Benjamin Watson currently holds that record (2004 - Round 1 - Pick 32 - New England).

Georgia's highest-selected offensive player is of course Matthew Stafford, who was selected with the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (2020 - Round 1 - Pick 4 - New York Giants) is the highest-selected offensive player of the Kirby Smart era at Georgia. 

Other Georgia News:

• All-American Honors Roll In for Standout Georgia Freshman
• Georgia Bulldogs Could Surpass 2023 Totals in This Year's NFL Draft
• OL Tate Ratledge Returning to Georgia For 2024 Season

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