Not much has gone well for the Raiders this year, but rookie tight end Brock Bowers has at least given the fan base something to be excited about in the future.
Bowers was one of three players the Raiders were reportedly hoping to take with the 13th-overall pick in this year’s draft, and Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter has mentioned on several occasions that GM Tom Telesco did not expect the former Georgia tight end to fall out of the first 10 picks.
Piecing together different reports, it seems like a safe assumption that the Raiders passed on a significant trade offer from the Rams to take Bowers. The Rams are believed to have offered picks 19 and 52 for the number 13 pick the Raiders used to take Bowers.
The Raiders rejected all offers for Bowers, and it looks like that decision is going to be a good one.
Through 8 games, Bowers doesn’t just lead his position group in receptions (52); he leads the entire NFL in receptions.
Sunday’s game against the Chiefs was a unique opportunity to see Bowers on the field with future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce, and it was clear after the game that Kelce already has tremendous respect for Bowers.
Kelce met with Bowers after the game and the two took a picture together, but notably, it was Kelce who asked Bowers for the jersey swap.
Bowers, who is one of the most unassuming players in the league, looked surprised that Kelce would ask for his jersey…
No doubt, Kelce’s post-game gesture was one of the highlights of Bowers’ young career.
Unfortunately for Bowers, the Raiders went away from throwing to him in the second half and Kelce won the battles of the box score and the final score.
Looking ahead, the coaching staff needs to find ways to keep Bowers involved on offense, even when opposing defenses are keying on him. Without question, the Raider offense has been at its best when Bowers is a focal point… and has struggled mightily when he is not.
x: @raidersbeat
It is criminal to think that after a stellar first quarter, Getsy didn’t target his best player for 29 minutes of offense. He waited until it was too late missing 7 opportunities at the goal line to get Bowers the ball. I’m not saying they should fire Luke Getsy. I’m saying the Las Vegas DA should charge him will willful negligence and lock him up!