Should NFL teams draft Brock Bowers over Marvin Harrison Jr. & Malik Nabers? | 3 & Out x Mike Mayock

John Middlekauff is joined by former Las Vegas Raiders GM Mike Mayock to discuss the best fits for Georgia TE Brock Bowers and whether he's better than top WR prospects Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers. Mayock also shares his best defensive prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
0:00 // Intro
0:28 // Could Brock Bowers go ahead of Nabers and Harrison?
3:42 // Evaluating top defensive prospects
5:12 // What a good corner has to be able to do in the NFL
Follow John:
/ johnmiddlekauff
/ johnmiddlekauff
Subscribe to the Podcast:
apple.co/3S27Glf
Shop the hottest gear in all of sports podcasting: thevolume.com/shop-all-new
Follow The Volume on social media:
/ thevolumesports
/ thevolumesports
/ thevolumesports
/ thevolumesports
Learn more about The Volume:
www.thevolume.com
#nfl #football #sports

[@autumnwind1216]

Malcom Koonce, Maxx Crosby, Nate Hobbs & Trevon Moehrig were all later round picks Mayock made. You could tell the coach made final say in the 1st rounders.

[@MrFlip916]

You have no idea what you're talking about.

[@user-zk3tg1ws4q]

Gruden was a horrible judge of talent. Look at what he did to dismantle the Tampa Bay team and he was behind the horrible reaches in the 1st round round for the raiders

[@raiderteeezy5029]

But mayock picked Clelin Ferrell because of “character”

[@davidkaneradio]

Absolutely, no clue why ppl/fans don’t get that

[@paul4930]

Mayock definitely had a hand in picking Alex Leatherwood.

[@Anhviet19]

Welcome to the nation

[@dhazelwood85]

The hack with TE is the contract. Kelce, little, hackenson, and La porta all bring WR 1 type skills for about half the salary cap hit. Mark Andrews too

[@NoneYa831]

Once Kelce retires it’ll become irrelevant. He’s been keeping the market down for years

[@williamhermann6635]

Problem is all those guys are on good passing offenses thst highlight the tight end. Few teams in the nfl actually do that. How many 1st rounnd tight ends get drafted to bad teams and never live up to their draft billing? Happens all the time.

[@okmiok]

Yeah it’s a hack but that golden tight end is rare. We have 3 at Kelces level in the nfl

[@lilSnubby]

Mayock - the genius who drafted Damon Arnette in the first round instead of Justin Jefferson

[@user-zk3tg1ws4q]

Gruden wanted Arnette. Gruden was an egomaniac with no eye fir for talent

[@motavice3499]

Could you imagine adams and JJ on the raiders holysht

[@MikeKollin]

That's my High school Friends Son!! He's so Proud! Hell we all are. HIs Father was an offensive lineman in high school and college and we were section champions... I was the Full Back! So Awesome!!

Very cool. Hopefully Las Vegas treats him well. Good luck.

[@LongieR8er]

Why did his dad have a shit face when the Raiders took him ?

@@LongieR8er rumors are the family are 9ers fans.

[@LongieR8er]

Ahhh I see

[@LongieR8er]

I’d like to apologize to Brock Bowers dad and Family, I seen his reaction from another camera angle and it looked like he was happy for his Son….again my Apologies

[@RRR-ox9ud]

I always thought Mayock worked for Gruden. Mayock was more of the information gather and grader and Gruden had the final say and pulled the trigger.

[@williamhermann6635]

And neither of them seemed to give a damn about character. They drafted Henry Ruggs and that cornerback from Alabama. He also signed Richie Incognito and traded for Antonio Brown. Its like they were trying to lead the league in jail time.

[@jameshannagan4256]

@@williamhermann6635 Ruggs had no issues and was considered a high character guy that's why it shocked everybody when it happened. Some guys can't handle Vegas it's an issue for the Raiders and it's a shame I think he was going to be a star.

[@genebrimage9150]

Spot on

Lol. Keeping it old school Raiders then? Unfortunately you're correct. Players are different today than back then. ​@@williamhermann6635

[@user-zk3tg1ws4q]

Yep Gruden was behind all the bad 1st round picks.

[@g.a.b.4914]

This guy (Mayock) drafted Clelin Ferrell with the 4th pick for my beloved Raiders......enuff said

[@alamahony]

Now we have Bowers,nuff said.LMAO

[@AlaskanRNFL]

Gruden picked Ferrell. Myock was able to pick in the later rounds.

[@SmellyVinegaryBallzach]

It's called Context. He also stole Crosby if we're playing that game.

[@alamahony]

@@AlaskanRNFL BULLSHIT

[@0g_str8up]

Raidddddersssss

[@hectorrivas4618]

Once you answer those questions you draft 6:30 Damon Arnette

[@tjzadroga5558]

Hahahah

[@lordraiden1]

If Bowers and Mayer live up to their player comps you would be looking at Travis Kelce and Jason Witten in their young years.

[@GElley-jn9ic]

I love Mike Mayock. I respect his assessments.

[@user-jp8zy5oj1v]

YEAH" The Lassiter kid from Georgia" yeah he's right up there with Damon Arnette

[@yangthao1795]

i wonder if Gruden vetoed him on some draft picks, but they did seem to overlook character with some of their draft picks. drafting is hit or miss, but you cant miss high in the draft.

[@geno1825]

Can't wait to see my favorite team Raiders with Brock Bowers in the red zone scoring offense if offensive coaches use him like utility player Taysom Hill for Saints team & Brock Bowers played QB in the triple option system where he was successful in high school so get ready for lot TD'S instead of getting a bunch of Fg's for winning more games

[@samright4661]

He’s absolutely right about Lassiter! Dude is a great Corner

[@nicholaswoods4055]

1. Harrison jr 2. Nabers 3. Odunze 4. Bowers 5. Thomas jr 6. Ladd

[@johngone1nonly]

Damn man you called top 4

[@Robert-fs1pb]

With the raiders he will quickly put do them all.

[@analyticalinsight]

Top 10 4 years from now Odunze Bowers Harrison Legette Pearsall Sinnott Nabers Thomas Jr Mcmillian Keon Coleman

[@Matthew081980]

I don’t have an opinion on the guest, because I don’t know who he is, but I do like the idea of getting different perspectives on the draft. I’d like to see a coach, scout, and GM on a panel show.

[@Freddy2Rumble]

He was the Former GM OF THE LV RAIDERS

[@user-np5ot7fg8v]

@@Freddy2Rumble Before that, he spent years doing exactly this, evaluating talent, except for ESPN and the NFL network.

[@Searles007]

😂

[@JackHammond-tq6cl]

Says the guy who drafted Clelin Ferrell with what the 4th overall pick? Literally the hardest position to miss on in the top 5, edge. Why? Because athletic measurables are a strong predictor at the position. Myles Garrett, Khalil Mack, Nick bosa etc. Now he’s telling us that a corner running 4.55 doesn’t matter? It does cause in the nfl they will run past you and if they can run past you it opens everything else up

[@RobertPreuitt]

John was in charge not Mike

[@SmellyVinegaryBallzach]

Switch Crosby with Clenin and you wouldn't be talking.

[@user-cb2kw8hf1l]

If you think a 100 million wr is more important than a TE for half the price then you have t been watching the super bowls lately!

[@ncoleman6457]

He made solid pics when he was GM

[@TheLinesEnd]

Is Brock Bowers the greatest collegiate player at his position of all time? Yes. Okay now is Marv? No…okay then

[@marvinwilks5893]

In my opinion the Raiders are in good hands with the new general manager Tom Telesco and our head coach AP

[@Robert-fs1pb]

One should not consider himself above another.just do what it take to contribute to teamates who also are contrbuting to the best of their ability.let the coaches decide what it takes to win.And who they want to play to try to win.

[@702TifosiGambler]

Harbaugh likes In Line TEs, think his TEs at Stanford, Vernon Davis etc, his TEs at Michigan I like Bowers at lot, I don't see the fit for Jim's down hill running, MHJ is the move if I'm Jimmie.

[@AAblade7]

So a TE who has solid blocking technique and can play halfback doesn’t work in down hill running?

[@702TifosiGambler]

@@AAblade7 I don’t think it’s a good fit, UGA was better offensively the previous year with Darnell as the In Line TE and Bowers primarily the receiving weapon, my opinion which means nothing to a draft room, Greg Roman is the OC you remember his play calling style? jumbo sets, run heavy sets, 22 personnel. Bowers better schematically with AZ,Den, Buf, Indy. Needs an OC with a proven track record of getting his weapons the ball creatively. His run block technique is fine but his run block strength is sub par for a Greg Roman offense.

[@AAblade7]

@@702TifosiGambler Yeah, but Darnell is a skinny OL to begin with so of course he’s the ideal blocking TE, but I wouldn’t hold that against bowers who still great at it. As to Greg Roman your right. I went back to looking at the Vernon Davis plays with San Francisco. Good load they underutilized him when Greg was running the offense.

[@702TifosiGambler]

@@AAblade7 Right the only time Roman unleashed TEs was the Bal year with Hurst, Andrews and that’s because most teams were scared to play man vs Lamar and he’d pick apart LBs in pass cov with short intermediate passes. Looking at LAC WRs I don’t see any defense scared to play man on them I think they’ll draft MHJ or trade back.

[@AAblade7]

@@702TifosiGambler they are probably looking for OL right now

[@Robert-fs1pb]

On the case of guardner minshew they picked someone lower.Tauglavia.

[@Robert-fs1pb]

They all should just do their job.When called on

[@troypeylouret]

I remember when Mike mayock was the raiders GM lol.

[@DJMatBlack83]

MAYOCK: with so much knowledge of the game. Been around football for 50 plus years. How could he draft so poorly in the first round?

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

The Bears should draft Bowers at 9 and use him in the slot next to Cole Kmet. Take that Belichick!

[@samright4661]

Yeah Williams and Brock together would be awesome

[@user-vp8xh2xs9x]

Gruden had 51% of decision making. Mayock had 20 years of success picking players until the Raiders

[@davuhn2]

I’m no world he goes above the top 3 receivers

[@l2sky3]

Hopefully my patriots can draft a qb than trade back up into the first round. Double dip on this offensive talent

[@quavo.d1722]

He’s right about latu better than Dallas turner.

[@ventclinic945]

Raider nation

[@libertas_americana]

This man should still have a job as GM.

[@haghighi24]

Ehh look who he drafted with his 2 1st round picks instead of ceedee lamb and Justin Jefferson in 2020

[@franklimper2677]

Nor -Cal

[@Bambino_60]

Why would you listen to that dope Mayock

[@gilbertdamianzendejas5988]

Crazy how much Mayock fell off at one point he was so reputable and I loved what he had to say before he took the raiders GM job. He definitely showed he couldn’t draft.

[@DWoodsII]

Do you really think he drafted those players? Gruden pick those players homie. Mayock been on point for years picking players on TV. Gruden can’t stay out the way..

[@williamhermann6635]

Or hes all talk and has no idea wtf hes talking about

[@cepolt]

Unfortunately this interview just back that up; he sounds like he just doesn't know enough while at the same time having the ego to think he does. Maybe he would've been a good GM 25 years ago

[@brianweatherbee8670]

Maxx Crosby in the fourth round. He missed on some and hit on others. Just like every other GM.

[@williamhermann6635]

@@brianweatherbee8670 So he hit one 1 good player. How many 1st and 2nd rounders did he miss on?

[@thorinoaknshield871]

Mikes eyes looking real demonic lol

[@vjmccormack]

Why is that guy on the show? He was fired 😊😊😊😅😅😅

[@danteketchens5828]

Gruden was trying to destroy the raiders from the inside … Every 1st rd pick was a horrible pick and no longer with us . Plus he traded all our stars …

[@capecodraiders47]

Mayock drafted Ruggs, I never seen such skinny calves on a grown man before. I remember one game Ruggs was trying to get an extra yard or 2 and the DB body slammed him. You aint body slamming Bowers. You used to punk Renfrow but you aint punking Bowers. Bowers Powers, hell if the Raiders didn't just draft a couple of enforcers. Who are you putting on him? LB? how many LB'ers are as twitchy? a CB? How many CB's are that big or strong? He just jumps out on tape like some video game player, I'm talking Techmo. Aidan O'Connell's mustache is a little wider today with all the smiling he has to be doing.

[@stoney2271]

Bowers over than until the raiders picked him, now everyone hates the pick and the kid lol

[@chm97chm97]

Anyone taking Bowers over the top 3 WRs is idiotic. Bowers is a no before 15 and that is a STRETCH.

[@PapaJoe224]

I promise you that Bowers is going to exceed your valuation of him.

[@Coop95]

This would be just like Atlanta drafting Pitts over Chase. It’s foolish

[@ajpierre]

You haven’t watched one lick of UGA football

[@brimk6088]

Mayock didn't you drafted Ferrell m it does say's alot, im glad we have tom telesco, has a better IQ test than mayock

[@familyfirst3746]

Hell naw .

[@BigKobe8]

First

[@thangyselfmade7028]

This dude does not know how to draft 😅

[@nicyee3701]

He is just a California homer.

[@travisoshea]

gotta love people saying this who have probably never even written a scouting report of even know one word of the scouting language

[@antoniolemus2774]

He drafted Maxx Crosby in the 4th round

[@bankster3844]

@@travisosheaOP was speaking facts. Mike Mayock is a failed GM. Nothing wrong with stating facts.

[@moemo284]

​@@travisosheathis is 98% of the internet in any comment that is made

[@williamhermann6635]

Taking a tight end in the first round is dumb.

[@ajanijones]

unless you draft Kyle Pitts and he gets 1000 yards in his first season with my uncle playing QB

[@williamhermann6635]

@@ajanijones Kyle Pitts is a receiver, not a tight end, and we all know it. And besides that, hes an extreme outlier. If your strategy as a gm is to chase outliers then you're not gonna be a gm for long. Travis Kelce 3rd round, Gronk 2nd round, Kittle 5th round, Laporta 2nd round, Jimmy Graham 4th round, even the Packers just drafted 2 really good tight ends in the 2nd and 3rd rounds last year. I could go on and on. Inversely, the list of 1st round tight ends who have sucked is quite long. Its a fool's errand.

[@theinfiniterush]

If you could get Gronk, Gates, or Kelce in the first round, you definitely do.

[@williamhermann6635]

@@theinfiniterush But none of them were even 1st round picks. Kittle was a 5th rounder and Gates wasnt even drafted.

[@alan3552]

Mayock might go down as one of the worst draft analysts to ever exist. Just look at what he did as the Raiders GM. He set them back maybe 10 years. Gruden gets half the blame as well cause it was his decision when it came down it

[@marquise7200]

He drafted Crosby

[@alan3552]

@@marquise7200true but one out of how many busts? The percentage is terrible. He’s still a terrible draft analyst

[@Justin-us2tu]

He took guys much higher when the rest of the NFL had graded the players much lower. Arrogance. Not a credible guest. But wish him all the best going forward in life.

[@travisoshea]

not a credible guest? hahahaha please think about what you just said

[@jonathanruiz7877]

I wouldn’t go as far as insulting him like that … but can’t argue with what you said … he sometimes is “the smartest guy in the room” one too many times

[@pauliej345]

I agree . His drafts have been horrible. Hunter Renfrow and Max Crosby were his best picks. Jacobs was solid rb but he took him in rd 1 and prob could have gotten equal value later. Overall was a terrible drafter and why he got fired and not hired anywhere else

[@DWoodsII]

GRUDEN picked the players. Don’t be naive

[@antoniolemus2774]

Maxx Crosby in the 4th round is one of the best draft picks ever

[@MicDropFacts]

Right off the rip guy doesn't know what he's saying. Brock Bowers has better hands. He's way faster it's not even close. More endurance. Way better vertical. way better route running. But that's okay compare him to George kittle a guy who's injured for half the season the last 4 years. 🤦 Symfm. George cattle is a LensCrafters employee not a tight end.