“Prolific pass-catching tight end with a rare blend of acceleration, speed, body control and hands that could breathe new life into a stale NFL offense.” – NFL.com Analyst Lance Zierlein’s pre-draft profile of Georgia Tight End, Brock Bowers.
Enter the Las Vegas Raiders. Perpetrators of one of 2023’s stalest offenses and possessors of the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Plus a new general manager in Tom Telesco who would love to put his stamp on the roster with an immediate impact playmaker. A unicorn prospect tight end has proved to be a risky pick in the past, but is this time different?
In three years at Georgia, Brock Bowers tormented the SEC on his way to two national championships. He totaled 175 receptions, 2,731 yards and 31 touchdowns over those three seasons and was a two-time recipient of the John Mackey Award—given to the most outstanding tight end in the country. And for good measure, he set the Georgia single-season receiving touchdowns record with 13 in 2021…He was a freshman.
One thing that has always been uttered about Bowers throughout his career is he is a pure football player. The guy has a visibly apparent feel for space (such as a Travis Kelce) and how to make himself available on routes. But it’s his physicality as a ball carrier and his ability to pick up YAC while bringing pain to DBs that really makes him a fun watch. The area of his game that had scouts wary was that he’s a bit undersized for the position and while he’s a very willing blocker, he may not match up favorably to NFL front sevens.
An Old School Raider With Modern Talent
There was a video I came across a few weeks ago of Brock Bowers doing media availability at his locker during Raiders training camp. 21 years old and there’s maybe a dozen hairs on the top of his head hanging on for dear life. The man is built like a farmer; broad shoulders with huge arms that don’t show intense tone but just thick from shoulder to wrist. Looks like a pro hay bale thrower. He and Minshew being two of the three faces of Las Vegas’ offense should bring Raiders fans back to a happier time of their or their father’s childhood.
Yes, I did declare Bowers one of the faces of the Raiders offense because, through two career games, he has already become that. The rookie pass catcher has totaled 15 receptions for 156 yards through two weeks. It’s the most receptions by a rookie tight end in their first two games since the NFL began tracking in 1960 (via Levi Edwards). But it was this past game versus Baltimore that Bowers showcased the complete toolset.
His first reception came early in the second quarter on an eleven-yard-in in which Bowers froze Marlon Humphrey at the top of his route, showcasing the efficient route running. Later, on a crucial drive late in the third quarter, Minshew scrambled on a 3rd and 8. Bowers recognized this and made a Madden-esque play when you hold the ball too long and your receivers start to run back towards the line of scrimmage. Minshew found him and Brock dragged a DB for five extra yards to set up a touchdown run. Finally, on the drive late in the 4th quarter that would eventually lead to Las Vegas tying the game, Bowers caught three straight balls from Minshew including a crucial 3rd and 5.
Brock Bowers 2nd Half Statline: 6 receptions, 82 yards, 2 third down conversions.
Through two games it’s clear that Brock Bowers is actively seeking defenders to run into. Even if he’s being forced out of bounds he’ll still lower his shoulder into the closest defensive back. He and Minshew playing toss is what I imagine one of those ’70s Raiders teams felt like. Not the championship teams but maybe one of those 9-7 years.
However, while I feel the ceiling on this Las Vegas squad is capped at a fringe playoff team, I would not be surprised if Bowers is vying for one of the all-pro tight end spots by season’s end. Sam LaPorta earned second-team honors last year as a rookie with an impressive 86/889/10 season. Bowers is on pace for well over 100 catches and if he can finish around that 100 mark with the yards that come with it and around 10 touchdowns, I think he’s a surefire selection. Especially considering Travis Kelce (first team last year) has four receptions for 39 yards through two weeks.
Regardless, I’m going to bed now. And I’ll sleep well knowing there’s a man in silver and black ready to carry the tradition of generations of elite NFL power forwards into the 2030s. God bless the stretch four.