The Las Vegas Raiders weren't able to draft their quarterback of the future, and that was clear as soon as the first three picks went off of the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. But, there was no way they were going to pass on Brock Bowers, and now, without a great quarterback, we see why. The things he is doing with no real offense around him, are truly insane.
The Raiders have a big problem on offense. They don't have a great quarterback, they have a poor scheme with players on the team that do not fit that scheme, and the playcalling is just atrocious.
But, even with a bad loss and a poor offensive showing by the offense on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the rookie tight end had a historic night. Here is what the Raiders PR team tweeted out about Bowers during the course of the game, as he was the only bright spot on offense, outside of maybe Alexander Mattison:
TE Brock Bowers is now up to eight catches so far today, bringing his season total to 36 receptions in six career games. The only tight end in NFL history with more catches over his first six career games was Keith Jackson in 1988 (38). TE Brock Bowers already has more games with 8+ catches this season (3) than every other Raiders rookie tight end combined in franchise history (1 each by Zach Miller and Raymond Chester). TE Brock Bowers has now passed Amari Cooper (33) for the most receptions in Raiders history among players in their first six games.
Bowers is one of the best tight ends in the league already. To be honest, with a decent offense around him, you could make the case that he is already the best tight end in the league based on what we have seen.
I mean, he has the numbers as the best tight end in the league, but those numbers are down around the league for all tight ends. Just imagine what his numbers would be like in a good system with a good quarterback.
Bowers had the best play of the night, as he snagged a one-handed catch with a defender draped all over him for a big gain. However, due to a holding penalty, it was called back. That's the type of thing I'm talking about when I say he could have much better numbers in a better offense.
So far, he has been one of the only bright sides of the offense this season. He has a chance to do the same thing against the Kansas City Chiefs, which he's already done so many times now, including against the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos, two great defenses.
