Despite Brock Bowers being seen as one of the best tight end prospects in years, the Las Vegas Raiders were not expected to pick him. It was surprising when Bowers was available at No. 13 and even more surprising when the Raiders chose him.
The surprise was because the team used the No. 35 pick to get Michael Mayer just a year ago. It seems the plan is to use both tight ends a lot but they may also try to get some value for Mayer. Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Focus suggested a trade to send Mayer and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2025 second-round pick.
“Las Vegas doesn’t have to trade Mayer after picking Brock Bowers, who can play as a big slot receiver,” Robinson wrote in a May 6 column. “New Raiders OC Luke Getsy used 12 personnel (two tight ends) at the NFL’s seventh-highest rate (23.5%) in 2023.
“However, first-year Raiders GM Tom Telesco didn't pick Mayer in 2023. He might be willing to move the talented tight end, especially if Vegas can get back the second-round pick they used to pick Mayer.”
Receiving a second-round pick for Mayer could be attractive. They'd at least get back the value they used to get him. However, it seems like the Raiders plan to keep the young tight end.
Brock Bowers Discusses Teaming up With Michael Mayer
Bowers is not a typical tight end. He's a dynamic athlete who can play all over the offense. Mayer is a more traditional tight end who can fill that role for the Raiders. This allows the team to be more creative in how they use Bowers.
Bowers is excited to team up with Mayer.
“I think if you have two great tight ends, it’s really hard to match up personnel-wise to defend against pass and run, so I think it makes it difficult for defenses,” Bowers said during his May 10 media availability.
Mayer didn’t have a huge rookie season but he showed flashes of big-time potential. If offensive coordinator Luke Getsy figures out a way to use both tight ends effectively, the Raiders will be giving a lot of defenses difficult matchups.
Antonio Pierce Excited About TE Duo
Another strong sign that the Raiders won’t trade Mayer is how excited head coach Antonio Pierce seems about his new tight end duo.
“I said ‘Wow, this is going to be a great combination. Two young studs to grow up together within our organization that can help us win a lot of games,’” Pierce said during his May 10 media availability.
The Raiders may not have needed a tight end, but it's hard to argue against Bowers as a prospect. The team could have one of the most interesting passing attacks in the NFL. The wide receiver group is strong, and the team could have the best tight end duo in the NFL. That should help cover many potential issues at quarterback.
