Brock Bowers receives high praise from major outlet

The accolades keep rolling in for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.

The 13th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Bowers looked like a steal from the jump. Despite going through three quarterbacks and two offensive coordinators, Bowers set records for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in NFL history (1,194) and most receptions by a rookie (112). The NFL acknowledged his dominance by naming him to the Pro Bowl, and he also earned first-team All-Pro honors and finalist recognition for every rookie award possible.

Now, Pro Football Focus has given Bowers yet another accomplishment to put as a feather in his cap.

Bowers received a high ranking in PFF’s annual list of 101 best players.

Bowers was among the latest batch of players on PFF’s rankings to be revealed, coming in at No. 40.

“Bowers’ first year in the NFL was one for the record books,” wrote the PFF staff. “His 88.4 PFF receiving grade is the highest ever recorded by a first-year tight end in the PFF era (since 2006), highlighted with record-breaking marks in receptions (112), yards after catch (596), first-down receptions (61) and contested catches (16). The latter also ranks among the top eight all-time at the position, placing him alongside the likes of Travis Kelce (2018) and Jimmy Graham (2017).”

By rating Bowers so highly, PFF placed him in elite company.

Bowers comes in as the third-highest ranked rookie on the list, only behind Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse. Bowers is also the second-highest tight end on the list so far, only behind George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers. Players at his position Bowers has ranked higher than include Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals) and Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens).

While the Raiders operate under new management now, the philosophy behind selecting Bowers must remain if the team wants to stay on the right track.

The Raiders lucked into Bowers thanks to a surprising quarterback run and teams focusing on need rather than choosing the best player available. Despite drafting Michael Mayer with a high pick the year before, former general manager Tom Telesco refused to let that stop him from bringing in another elite offensive talent at the same position. While last season was generally one to forget for the Raiders, the promise Bowers showed all season long is as bright a silver lining as one could hope for.

Bowers proved early he is someone the Raiders need to build around, and they now have an entire offseason to do exactly that.