Where does Kentucky’s Bowden fit in the NFL? ‘I’ll do whatever they want me to.’
Lynn Bowden was listed as a wide receiver when he arrived at Kentucky despite seldom having played that position in high school. It’s the position for which he’s been deemed most likely to get drafted by the NFL, and therefore the group with whom he’s interviewing and working out this week at the league’s annual draft combine.
As he said so often while quarterbacking the Wildcats in the second half of an 8-5 season, Bowden is willing to play wherever an NFL team best sees him fitting. Running back, quarterback, wide receiver — he’ll work out at whatever position he needs to in order to make his pro dream a reality.
“I’ll do whatever they want me to,” Bowden said. “I’ll work out at d-lineman if I got to.”
Bowden rushed for 1,468 yards in 2019, leading the Southeastern Conference (LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a starting running back in 15 games, was his closest competition at 1,414 yards). Bowden’s average of 7.94 yards per carry led the nation.
He reminded reporters in attendance Tuesday that, with the help of an offensive line he still contends got shafted for national awards, he often piled up those numbers against eight- and nine-man fronts.
“A little bit,” Bowden said when asked if he was surprised to lead the league in rushing. “Just imagine if I’d started day one at it? I don’t know.”
Bowden will get drafted, most likely by a team that perceives him less as a typical slot receiver or running back and more as a do-it-all spark plug who can take advantage of distracted defenses. In his NFL.com draft profile of Bowden, analyst Lance Zierlein wrote that he “might require a plan to maximize his value.”
Route-running, ability to separate and looseness with the ball were among the concerns Zierlein noted about Bowden.
“He’s not overly sudden or explosive and some teams may want him to prove he can be more than a glorified running back,” Zierlein wrote. “ ... His development as a receiver was slowed due to his move to quarterback in 2019, but his return talent and versatility gives him a chance to contribute immediately as he waits to become a starting slot.”
Draft projections have Bowden going anywhere from the third to fifth round. Unless he runs a blistering 40-yard dash time at UK’s Pro Day next month, volatility in terms of his draft position is likely to continue.
That’s fitting, in a way, given the uncertainty surrounding how he might best fit in the league. Guys like Deebo Samuel and Taysom Hill have demonstrated the value of versatility, and Bowden is leaning into his potential as a play-maker regardless of where he lines up.
“I want to do everything I can,” Bowden said. “If I’m fortunate enough to get there I want to play everything. I ain’t trying to be a basic guy. I want to be that guy. I want to be a superstar at every position I can.”
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 2:14 PM.
