In a few days, the Colts will make the short trip to Lucas Oil Stadium with the rest of the NFL to scout players who can help them take the next step, starting with the No. 15 pick in the draft.

The possibilities aren't quite as endless as they were last year, when the Colts drafted fourth. But in these early stages, one prospect who has a chance to be available is giving off vibes of being a potential home run.

That's Brock Bowers. The Georgia tight end has led the Bulldogs in receiving three straight seasons, averaging 846 yards and nine touchdowns a season, made more notable by the fact that they've won two national championships in that span. He is widely considered the best tight end in this year's draft, but questions remain about just how high in the draft he will go.

Why the Colts should take Brock Bowers

If he falls to within striking range of the Colts, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah sees a great potential marriage.

"I would not rule it out that somehow Brock Bowers gets there, and that would be ironic because I compared him to (49ers tight end George) Kittle, but he reminds me of Kittle like in a Dallas Clark body a little bit," Jeremiah said on a conference call to preview the combine. "Similar in terms of how you would use Dallas Clark and move him and do all those different things. Kind of like if Kittle and Dallas Clark had a baby, it would be Brock Bowers."

That, of course, is high praise. Kittle was a fifth-round pick out of Iowa in 2017, but he has emerged as the best tight end in the league outside of Travis Kelce in the years since. He just completed his third season with at least 1,000 receiving yards, and he's become a two-time first-team All-Pro with his mix of receiving and devastating run blocking.

Why Brock Bowers draws Dallas Clark comparisons

Listed on Georgia's website at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Bowers isn't regarded in the same class as a blocker, which invites the comparison to Clark. Clark was a first-team All-Pro himself with the Colts back in 2009, when he caught 100 passes for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. That was his lone Pro Bowl appearance, but he built a steady nine-year career in Indianapolis as a first-round pick.

Clark passed the torch to Jack Doyle, who retired after the 2021 season following his own two-time Pro Bowl career. The Colts have been in need of a reliable tight end since, as 2022 third-round pick Jelani Woods has struggled to stay on the field, and they haven't found a go-to option otherwise.

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Bowers could be that if he were to fall to No. 15, or perhaps within a few picks of their selection, where a trade up becomes possible. Although he is widely regarded as the top tight end this year, his position only rarely goes in the top 10 due to the slow learning curve in the transition from college to the NFL.

Will Brock Bowers fall to the Colts at No. 15?

Given the level he played at in the Southeastern Conference and the production he's amassed despite having a target from defenses for three seasons, Bowers could be an exception.

"He plays with just tenacity, especially with the ball in his hands," Jeremiah said. "That's where he is at his best. And the run game, when he can get into guys, he can finish them. He's not the tallest or longest guy so there are times he can't do that.

"Everything he does -- he separates easy. He can go get it. He can climb the ladder and go and get the ball, and really the run after catch stuff is what makes him special."

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In an offseason that is about growing the passing game around a second-year Anthony Richardson, the Colts have a decision to make on top wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who is headed toward free agency. They also received strong production out of the slot from Josh Downs in his rookie campaign. But they are waiting to see more of a leap from 2022 second-round pick Alec Pierce, who has been hurt by a revolving door at quarterback.

If Bowers is gone, Jeremiah could see the Colts looking at LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas. Thomas broke out last season with 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns, helping quarterback Jayden Daniels to the Heisman Trophy. At a listed 6-5, he brings the catch radius that Colts general manager Chris Ballard often obsesses over at the position.

If the Colts were to trade back, which Ballard has a reputation for in the draft, they could also look at Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who broke out with 845 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Another name Jeremiah mentioned is Oregon's Troy Franklin, who built on an 891-yard, nine-touchdown year in 2022 to pour in 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Both players also boast that big frame and catch radius.

They are just some of the names the Colts will keep a close eye on as they scout this week at the combine.

Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts: Brock Bowers could be a George Kittle-Dallas Clark crossover