The Las Vegas Raiders really struck gold this offseason. Yes, they needed a quarterback—very, very badly. But that just wasn't possible with what the Raiders and general manager Tom Telesco were willing to do during the draft with their draft position. They would have had to trade a pretty hefty price to get a quarterback or up into the QB range, and they just weren't willing to do that with anyone.
And, that's another reason why this offseason is just so important, because they need that franchise quarterback. They have to land one because they cannot go another year with some bridge players at the position that just isn't very good.
But what they did get in the 2024 NFL Draft is the best overall player in tight end Brock Bowers, and man, this kid is already one of the best in the league as a pass catcher and certainly the best tight end in the league this year. He's like no other in the league.
"No, not this one. This guy is different," head coach Antonio Pierce said when asked if Brock Bowers reminds him of anyone. "It's different, because when you get matched up on the number one corner, when you're getting double-teamed throughout the field, and they know we're going to throw him the ball, and we're going to keep throwing him the ball, and he's winning those matchups. It's hard. No, because his body type is different.
"I mean, I think there were some comparisons early on to Aaron Hernandez of that type, but I just think the way he plays the game after he has the ball. I mean, it's really like a running back. He's a receiver when the ball is in the air, and when he has a ball in his hand, I mean he's punishing people. He's skilled enough obviously with his hands and his catch radius. I can't really speak highly enough about this player. This player is doing a hell of a job this year for us, and it's no secret what we're going to do each and every play when there's an opportunity to throw it to 89."
The Raiders do have something that no other team in the league has -- a Brock Bowers. No, really, this guy is one of a kind and a tight end that comes around once every 10 or 15 years. There is a reason that guys like Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers love Bowers because he's legit.
He's already breaking records left and right, and is fourth in the entire NFL, among wide receivers and tight ends, in total receiving yards. And that's not just among rookies only, that's everyone. Bowers is on a mission right now, and he's only going to get better. Whoever the Raiders draft next year, is going to have one hell of a safety blanket to throw to.
On Sunday the Raiders and Bowers will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
