Antonio Pierce, the Raiders’ head coach and a former nine-year NFL player, believes there is no tight end quite like Brock Bowers. Despite being a rookie, Bowers is playing as if he’s been in the league for years.
Bowers, drafted 13th overall from Georgia, is posting impressive numbers. Pierce praises Bowers for his combination of size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), athleticism, strength, and reliable hands. Despite facing double teams and top cornerbacks, Bowers continues to excel.
“They know we’re going to throw him the ball and we’re going to keep throwing him the ball,” Pierce said. “He’s winning those matchups. I just think the way he plays the game after he has the ball, 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, he’s punishing people.”
Pierce continued, “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.”
Looking at Bowers from a historical perspective:
- He leads all NFL receivers with 84 receptions, the first time a tight end has topped the chart this late in the season since Todd Christensen in 1986.
- He is close to breaking the rookie tight end record for single-season catches, which is currently 86 by Sam LaPorta in 2023.
- He has had three games with 10 or more receptions, joining Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and Jaylen Waddle (2021) as the only rookies to do so.
- With 884 yards, Bowers is near the 1,000-yard mark for rookie tight ends. Only Mike Ditka (1961) and Kyle Pitts (2021) have reached that milestone.
Joe Horrigan, former executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, says comparing eras is tough due to how the tight end position has evolved from a blocking role to a more involved part of the passing game. However, he compares Bowers to Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow, who had a remarkable career after starting just once as a rookie.
“Everybody recognized Kellen Winslow as a remarkable not just tight end but athlete,” Horrigan said. “He was pretty exciting to watch. That’s where I look at these tight ends today, and Brock’s a perfect example. There’s more focus on them because they’re so effective in the way they play and how they’re used.”
Bowers has been impressive in recent games, including two of the past three with double-digit catches and over 100 yards. Despite his success, he often feels like he’s not playing well during games.
“I think it helps me play a little better when I think I’m not doing well,” Bowers said.
Even Bowers might find it hard to identify weaknesses in his performance during a 19-17 loss to Kansas City. Despite facing a top-10 defense and a rookie quarterback, Aidan O’Connell, Bowers had 10 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.
“I think you could probably put a lot of quarterbacks in and have good chemistry with Brock,” O’Connell said.
With five games left, Bowers has the opportunity to break more records, putting him in the running for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“I’ve never played with anybody like him,” said veteran running back Ameer Abdullah. “When it comes to speed, I think of somebody like Darren Waller, who can catch the ball and run away from people. He has that type of speed, but he also has a certain body control I’ve never seen, a certain poise that I haven’t seen in a rookie.”
“I can’t compare him to anybody, and I don’t think we should.”
