In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders decided to double down at the tight end position. After already drafting Michael Mayer the year prior, the team drafted Brock Bowers with the 13th pick. Fast forward nearly a year and it’s safe to say it was the right call.
Despite picking the best player available, many thought this was not the smartest pick. It is no secret that the quarterback room in Las Vegas was suspicious at best this past season. Nobody expected immense success without a quality pass thrower to complement Bowers. Hence why there was doubt about why Bowers was the pick—why not an offensive tackle?
Still, things worked out.
No. 89 in Sin City used to be No. 19 in Georgia, where he was one of the best tight ends ever. He is the only player ever to win the John Mackey Award twice. As a matter of fact, Bowers was arguably the best receiver on his team since his freshman season. Despite all of these accolades, there were still questions about how impactful he could be for the Raiders.
The Raiders have an All Pro in Brock Bowers
Before saying ‘Bowers,’ make sure to put Pro Bowler and All Pro in front of it. The rookie tight end proved the naysayers wrong and exploded this season. He finished with 112 catches, 1194 yards, and five touchdowns and set numerous records. 112 receptions are the most catches by any rookie pass catcher in league history. Additionally, he was ranked as the number one tight end in fantasy football. Despite all of this, he still thinks there is room to grow.
“I still feel like I suck at times,” Bowers said. He consistently addresses this as his mindset but was a leading candidate for rookie of the year. No. 89 started out strong and never seemed to ‘suck,’ as he had 15 receptions in the first two weeks.
The 2024 No. 13 overall pick is the best Raiders first-round pick since Josh Jacobs in 2019. Nonetheless, Bowers will stay with the team for another couple of years. It is clear that signing him to a new long-term contract at some point is crucial for the team’s future success. He has already stamped his name in history and will likely break more records in his career.
Two, maybe three years from now, Bowers will still be the offensive focal point regardless of Geno Smith or any other signal-caller. If nothing else, there’ll be at least one sure thing when it comes to the Raiders for the foreseeable future.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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