The Las Vegas Raiders may be reeling a bit after they dropped a critical AFC West game against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, but they got another affirmation that rookie tight end Brock Bowers is destined for superstardom.
The Raiders lost to the Broncos 34-18, but they got another strong performance from Bowers, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards with eight for 97 yards. Denver’s passing defense has been one of the best in the league through the early part of the 2024 NFL season, but they didn’t have much of an answer for Bowers, who showed off what he could do with more opportunities.
Las Vegas came out hot to start the game, with Gardner Minshew feeding Bowers on an easy catch for three yards before he uncorked a beautiful pass to Bowers in the middle of the field. Bowers came down with the catch and ran it toward the end zone for his first career touchdown.
It was a great play from Bowers, and the video shows just how impressive it really was via the NFL.
A beautiful first career TD for @brockbowers17!
📺: #LVvsDEN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/4shFDO0SSN— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
In the clip, Bowers is seen jumping up high to come down with the football over a defender before landing and immediately turning up the field for the touchdown. His speed, athleticism, and fluidity are on full display, further justifying his status as the top tight end in his draft class.
Bowers had already started to command more offensive targets because he’s a mismatch for smaller defensive backs and linebackers, but he might be in line for even more work if and when the team decides to trade Davante Adams. Adams has been dealing with a hamstring injury and is likely to be moved at the trade deadline, so this would open up more opportunities for the ascending Bowers.
The question for the Raiders now is who will throw to Bowers in Week 6 and beyond as head coach Antonio Pierce considers a quarterback change. Gardner Minshew was benched in favor of Aidan O’Connell against the Broncos, and it’ll be interesting to see who Pierce decides to go with moving forward.
Davante Adams Compares Brock Bowers to Rob Gronkowski
Bowers looks like the next superstar tight end in the NFL because of his ability as a pass catcher and blocker. He’s been compared to some legendary tight ends, and Adams added more fuel to the fire when he brought up Rob Gronkowski as a model for Bowers.
