Georgia tight end prospect Brock Bowers is worth Bears' consideration if he's available at No. 9 overall

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (670 The Score) — Admittedly, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers doesn’t like discussing himself much, but his play sure does plenty of talking for him.

Bowers hauled in 26 touchdowns over three seasons at Georgia, where he won two national championships as a standout for the Bulldogs. Now, he's the top tight end prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Should the Bears choose to select the best player available with the No. 9 overall pick rather than address a position of greater need, that may well be Bowers, who could potentially create a dynamic tight end tandem with Cole Kmet.

“I love watching Cole Kmet,” Bowers said. “He does a great job in all aspects of the game being a tight end. Yeah, it would be exciting.”

Bowers met with the Bears at the NFL Combine this week as they looked to get a sense for how he could fit in their offense.

The Bears own the No. 1 overall pick, which will give them the opportunity to select USC star quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears landed that No. 1 pick from the Panthers, who went an NFL-worst 2-15 after sending their first-round pick to the Bears as part of the blockbuster deal that sent the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Chicago to Carolina.

The Bears own the No. 9 pick by virtue of their 7-10 season in 2023. While there are several avenues that general manager Ryan Poles could take in that slot, the most desired route may simply be to take the best player available.

If the Bears were to select Bowers, they'd add a prolific playmaker to their offense. A two-time Mackey Award winner as the top tight end in college football and a three-time All-American, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Bowers has proved himself at the highest level of the college game.

In 2021, Kyle Pitts became the highest ever tight end ever drafted when the Falcons him at No. 4 overall. Bowers could potentially be selected that early as well.

The Bears signed Kmet to a four-year, $50-million contract extension last July, locking him in as part of their core. Kmet then shined in 2023, hauling in 73 receptions and six touchdowns. With new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron installed, Chicago’s offense could value pairing Kmet with the right complement at tight end.

“I’m just kind of one of those no-issue dudes,” Bowers said. “I mean, I’m not going to cause any off-field issues. And then I’m just a competitor. I want to compete and do it at the highest level.”

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .