Not many people anticipated Brock Bowers to be a joining the Las Vegas Raiders , but the team surprised many by selecting the Georgia tight end with the 13th pick. Despite not needing a tight end, Las Vegas picked him because he was the best player available.
Although he did not expect to join the Raiders, Bowers is very familiar with the team. He is from Napa, California, where the Raiders held training camp until 2020. Bowers previously attended the team's training camp and even mentioned getting an autograph from former quarterback Derek Carr Derek Carr, which he thought was “pretty cool,” according to an April 25 post by Vic Tafur from The Athletic. Carr is no longer part of the team, but was the starting quarterback for nine seasons. Bowers’ encounter with the quarterback clearly left an impression as he still remembers it. He now joins wide receiver
Bowers grew up in Napa and said getting an autograph from Derek Carr at Raiders training camp "was pretty sweet."
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) April 26, 2024
Davante Adams Antonio Pierce and as someone who closely followed the Raiders before joining the team. Brock Bowers Was ‘Surprised’
As mentioned earlier, the Raiders were not expected to be looking for a tight end. They drafted
Michael Mayer in the second round last year, who showed promise. Even Brock Bowers did not anticipate landing in Las Vegas. “I was really surprised … when that call came from Las Vegas, Nevada, I was excited,” Bowers said, according to an
April 25 post by ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. Bowers was likely the best player remaining, so it’s understandable why the Raiders chose him. While Mayer could be very good, he is not expected to be as impressive as Bowers. Additionally, the Raiders now have the opportunity to have one of the best tight end duos in the NFL if Bowers and Mayer fulfill their potential. Las Vegas Raiders Receive High Praise for Brock Powers Pick
The Raiders still have needs at quarterback, offensive line, and cornerback, and there were still other options available. However, Brock Bowers was simply too good to pass up.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report gave the Raiders an “A+” grade for adding the star tight end.
“Honestly, the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos saved the Las Vegas Raiders from themselves,” Sobleski wrote in an
April 25 column
. “They didn’t have the chance to select a quarterback prospect much higher than they should have, purely out of necessity. Instead, the Raiders added the second-ranked overall prospect on the final B/R Scouting Department “While quarterback is still a massive concern for the Raiders, it’s far better to take the best available prospect instead of reaching to fill a need. Besides, Bowers will make life so much easier on whomever starts behind center in Sin City this fall.”The Raiders still have a lot of work to do. They were not active in free agency and have not been assertive in addressing needs. Las Vegas still has several picks left and there’s a possibility they might not pick a quarterback at all. The Raiders will probably be looking for a cornerback or an offensive tackle with their second-round pick. big board.
The new Las Vegas Raiders tight end grew up very close to the team and revealed that he got an autograph from Derek Carr.
The Raiders still have a lot of work to do. They were quiet in free agency and haven’t been aggressive in addressing needs. Las Vegas has a lot of picks left and there’s a chance they don’t take a quarterback at all. The Raiders will likely be in the market for a cornerback or an offensive tackle with their second-round pick.
