The Las Vegas Raiders had a rough season, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t a handful of bright spots as the team looked to get younger. In particular, the team’s rookie class showed a ton of promise, and the team’s top two picks were recently honored.
Tight end Brock Bowers, the team’s first-round pick, and offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, their second-rounder, were both named to the Professional Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team via Levi Edwards of Raiders.com:
The Las Vegas Raiders have representation from their 2024 first and second-round picks on the Professional Football Writers of America’s (PFWA) All-Rookie Team.
In a vote conducted annually by the association, tight end Brock Bowers and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson were selected after standout seasons. Bowers was also voted to the PFWA’s 2024 All-NFL and All-AFC teams, and was the only rookie to be named All-NFL.
Bowers’ historic season has been spoken about plenty this season, and for good reason. The Raiders tight end broke the NFL records for receiving yards by a rookie tight end and receptions by any rookie. He also set franchise records for receptions in a single season, breaking the record set by Darren Waller and receiving yards by a rookie. Bowers was named a First Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in his first year with the team.
Powers-Johnson started 14 games at both guard and center this season and looks like someone who will be a longtime member of this offensive line. His 7.3 quarterback pressure percentage was the fourth-fewest of any rookie interior offensive lineman this season (min. 300 pass-blocking snaps), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
The success of Bowers and Powers-Johnson, not to mention third-rounder DJ Glaze, who was the team’s starting right tackle all season long, and fourth-rounder Decamerion Richardson, who played the second-most snaps of any cornerback on the roster, shows that the Raiders’ 2024 draft class has the potential to be a very successful one for this franchise. This further calls into question the team’s decision to part ways with GM Tom Telesco after one season.
Nonetheless, Bowers and Powers-Johnson both look to be part of the core that will help bring this Raiders franchise back amongst the NFL’s elite.
Raiders TE Brock Bowers named finalist for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
Brock Bowers had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history, so it was no surprise that the Raiders’ tight end was named a finalist for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Other finalists for the award are Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, who is the favorite to win it, Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix, New York Giants WR Malik Nabers and Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. The winner will be announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, February 6, in New Orleans. NFL Honors will be broadcast on FOX and NFL Network and streamed on NFL+.
