Brock Bowers On Verge Of Historic Rookie Season

The 2-8 Las Vegas Raiders haven't had much to look forward to this season. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers has been a rare bright spot throughout 2024. Bowers is developing into an elite pass-catcher in an offense searching for long-term solutions.

Bowers was borderline unstoppable versus the Miami Dolphins in Sunday's lopsided loss. The former Georgia standout recorded 13 receptions on 16 targets for 126 yards and a touchdown. It represented single-game season highs for Bowers in all categories. In fact, it set an NFL record for the most catches in a game by a rookie tight end in history, shattering a record that had stood for nearly 40 years (Mark Bavaro, 1985). It was also Bowers’ second consecutive game with a touchdown catch.

Bowers' touchdown occurred in the third quarter with the Raiders trailing 17-6. Starting quarterback Gardner Minshew was facing a 3rd-and-9 from Miami's 23-yard line. Minshew quickly located Bowers about five yards short of the first-down marker. He won the corner and shrugged off a Dolphins tackle attempt en route to the end zone.

Bowers currently leads the Raiders in receptions (70), targets (89), receiving yards (706), and touchdowns (three). With seven contests remaining on the regular season schedule, Bowers has an opportunity to set the new single-season record for most catches in a season by a rookie tight end. Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta set the new record last year with 86.

Bowers is also within striking distance of the rookie receiving yards record among all tight ends. The legendary Mike Ditka set the record with 1,076 in 1961. Averaging 70.6 receiving yards per outing, Bowers is currently on pace for a record-breaking 1,200-yard campaign. Kyle Pitts was the last rookie tight end to surpass 1,000 yards (1,026 in 2021).

Bowers leads all rookie pass-catchers in receptions and receiving yards despite three wide receivers going top 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Bowers' numbers aren't impressive just as far as rookie playmakers go either. He ranks second in the entire league in receptions and 10th in receiving yards, leading all tight ends in both categories.

The analytics are equally as kind. Bowers has created an average distance of separation of 3.8 yards on his targets this season, according to Next Gen Stats, making him a QB-friendly target for Minshew and Aidan O'Connell. Having caught 70 of 89 balls thrown in his direction, Bowers' catch percentage of 78.65% is the highest in the league among pass catchers with 80 targets.

Bowers has also been very elusive after the catch. The first-year playmaker is averaging an effective 5.5 yards after the catch, per NFL Pro, which is 1.4 yards higher than his expected average of 4.1. Bowers has a positive expected yards after catch per reception (xYAC/R).

The Raiders are currently slated to own the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The expectation is they'll draft a quarterback, with Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, and Jalen Milroe all qualifying as options. Next year's rookie quarterback will appreciate having Bowers as a go-to weapon.