Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers makes history in ESPN’s Top 10

For the last six offseasons, ESPN has polled NFL coaches, scouts, and executives to rank their Top 10 players in 11 different positions; anonymously, of course. Since its inception, Travis Kelce and George Kittle have battled for the top spot; however, this year has proven to be a bit different, as Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers has been named the league’s best tight end, following a tremendous rookie season.

Bowers sitting atop the NFL’s best tight end list marks the first time that a player in their second year, in any position, has bestowed the crown. It’s hard to overlook the records that Bowers broke in his first year of service for the Raiders. With 112 receptions, he not only set the Raiders’ franchise record for receptions, but he also holds the record for receptions by a rookie in NFL history, regardless of position, and finishing with 1194 receiving yards was also the most by a rookie tight end. One NFL executive noted Bowers’ superb athleticism and instincts, saying, “Great person, hard worker, instinctive, great hands, matchup problem due to his speed and athleticism with elite [run after catch] ability.”

To fully appreciate what Bowers accomplished in his rookie campaign, hindsight isn’t needed, as the Raiders entered the season in desperate need of a franchise QB, and as the season progressed, that remained true as Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder all split time under center. Adding Geno Smith, who has made the Pro Bowl in two of the last three seasons (2022 and 2023), earned the Comeback Player of the Year Award (2022), fills the hole. Smith brings 13 years of NFL experience to a quarterback room that has just four years of experience between O’Connell (3 years), Carter Bradley (1 year), and rookie Cam Miller. Instead of the revolving door at starting quarterback, like Bowers had in his rookie year, he will get the entire season to develop chemistry with Smith, and that has to be a scary thought for opposing defensive coordinators.