The Las Vegas Raiders added an arsenal of new offensive weapons this past NFL Draft. Among them was Lynn Bowden Jr. whose role is being kept a secret right now.
Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards are rookie wide receivers expected to make an immediate impact, that leaves Bowden as a wildcard. As a Kentucky Wildcat, Bowden played three key offensive positions; wide receiver, running back, and quarterback. The question of the offseason is how will the Raiders use him in 2020. General manager Mike Mayock made it clear he was drafted as a running back, sitting behind Josh Jacobs and Jalen Richard in the depth chart.
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That’s only his official roster designation for now. Head coach Jon Gruden undoubtedly has plans for Bowden, maximizing his talents to add another dimension to his offense. What exactly are those plans is anyone’s guess, so far, the only thing Gruden or Mayock have let people in on is Bowden’s moniker, Joker. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently shared insight into this.
“…Raiders general manager Mike Mayock has said multiple times since last April’s draft, Bowden will play a “joker role.” Around the NFL that’s code for “wouldn’t you like to know.”
Lynn Bowden: Something Like That…
Bowden himself said, “Ahhhhhh yeah, something like that,” laughing. The Raiders are not about to let the NFL know what they’re up to this offseason as they prepare for 2020. Bowden has the numbers from his last season in Kentucky to back up his much-talked-about talent. He totaled 1,468 rushing yards during that campaign, perhaps, the Raiders might’ve drafted a future backup for Jacobs, a two-headed monster in the works. Or, he could provide depth at wide receiver, he did catch 30 passes for 348 passes. The varying packages that Gruden could design with Bowden would lead to so many different mismatches for this offense.
Not to delve back into the quarterback position for the Raiders, but Bowden did throw for 403 yards and three touchdowns, out of necessity. No one’s saying he’s a threat to incumbent Derek Carr, rather, he could be used in Wildcat formations. Just picture a direct snap to Bowden in which he runs it in for a touchdown in Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders have yet to possess this level of flexibility. The 2020 season can’t get here soon enough.
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