Brock Bowers likely didn't do enough to overtake Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race but there's no doubt he was the most impressive non-quarterback rookie in the NFL in 2024. He set the record for receptions by a rookie regardless of position (112) and also broke the record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (1,194).
Tight end is not a position that rookies typically have a lot of success in but Bowers made the jump to the NFL look easy. What's even more surprising is that he's small for a tight end at 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds.
While Bowers isn't the biggest tight end, Rob Gronkowski has been very high on him. In a recent interview with Athlon, he explained why Bowers is so dominant without having the size of other star tight ends.
"He plays like a big man. He plays like he's my size, and that's what you've got to appreciate," Gronkowski told Athlon. "He's also just so smooth. He's so decisive in his route running. He's got great hands. He's got a great knack for just going up and getting the ball in his hands and making the catch. ... He's one of the best rookies to ever play the tight end position. As a rookie, to be able to be that accomplished. ... I love watching him go and I love his style of game, too. Even though he's a smaller tight end, he plays like a big boy, especially after he gets the ball in his hands."
It remains to be seen if Bowers' size will keep him from developing into an elite blocker but that might not matter if he continues to break receiving records.
