Raiders go with tight end Brock Bowers in first round of NFL Draft

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Thursday, April 25, 2024 | 6:57 p.m.

Updated Thursday, April 25, 2024 | 9:20 p.m.

After months of speculation, the Las Vegas Raiders opted to keep their pick and select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers at No. 13 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Bowers was considered one of the top offensive weapons in the draft, and by far the best tight end. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, he grades out as a capable blocker while adding a big-play element with his downfield speed and receiving skills.

In three years at Georgia, Bowers caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. He averaged 14.5 yards per reception, a monster number for an in-line tight end.

Speaking to the media via Zoom, Bowers said he can't wait to get started as a pro.

“Versatility is a big part of my game,” Bowers said. “I’m just excited to see what’s in store for this next year.”

Bowers did not attend the draft in Detroit, instead opting to watch from home. He said he did not expect to be selected by the Raiders, but it was a very pleasant surprise.

“I was really shocked," Bowers said. "I wasn’t sure what was happening. Man, when that call came up from Las Vegas, Nevada, I was juiced.”

First-year Raiders general manager Tom Telesco certainly didn’t follow the consensus in choosing Bowers.

Quarterback, cornerback and offensive line were considered three need areas for the Raiders heading into the draft. Tight end was way down the list, as the team took highly regarded Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer in the second round of last year’s draft. Mayer enjoyed a promising rookie campaign in 2023, catching 27 balls for 304 yards and two touchdowns.

Telesco said Bowers will complement Mayer while adding another threat to the Las Vegas offense.

“We’re looking to add more playmakers to the offense,” Telesco said. “They come in all shapes and sizes, all different positions. We love Michael Mayer. I love Michael Mayer. He’s a really good player. He’s going to take another big jump this year. But if you get a chance to add another dimension to the offense, whether it’s a tight end, a hybrid receiver, whatever it is, we need more playmakers on that side of the ball. I think he’s going to help us there.”

Bowers played on some extremely talented offenses at Georgia, helping the Bulldogs win back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. He believes that experience will help him fit in with Mayer and the rest of the Raiders' playmakers.

“We had some dudes at Georgia too,” he said. “I’m excited to be a piece in this offense, hopefully.”

Telesco said he looked into trade options, but nothing serious materialized as the draft unfolded. When the Raiders went on the clock at No. 13, the war room was in agreement that Bowers represented the best value with his ability to impact the run game and the passing game.

“He’s tough,” Telesco said. “When you play at Georgia as a tight end, you have to be able to block. He’s playing in the SEC against real defenders. He’s an athletic, ‘move’ receiving tight end, but he can get down and block and get on the line of scrimmage, which you’re going to have to do at this level.”

The draft skewed unusually offense-heavy at the top of the first round. As expected, USC quarterback Caleb Williams was selected first overall by the Chicago Bears. Quarterbacks went with the next two picks, with Washington taking LSU’s Jayden Daniels at No. 2 and New England nabbing North Carolina’s Drake Maye at No. 3.

Marvin Harrison Jr. became the first position player to come off the board when Arizona took him at No. 4. Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt went fifth to the Los Angeles Chargers, and the New York Giants took LSU receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6.

The draft’s first big swerve came at No. 8, where the Atlanta Falcons took Washington quarterback and Heisman runner-up Michael Penix. The Falcons signed free agent Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract in March, seemingly filling the team’s need at quarterback, but Penix’s potential proved too much to pass up.

Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy went 10^th overall to Minnesota, and when Oregon passer Bo Nix went to Denver two picks later, it meant six quarterbacks were off the board in the top 12, and all 12 were offensive players. That left Las Vegas with its choice of the top defensive player on its draft board, but the brain trust felt Bowers was the best player available.

Earlier in the week, Telesco said the Raiders had explored plans for trading up for a higher pick, or moving back to acquire more assets. In the end, they went for a dynamic offensive weapon in Bowers.

Las Vegas is set to have eight picks in this draft. They’ve got one selection apiece in round two (No. 44 overall), round three (No. 77), round four (No. 112), round 5 (No. 148) and round six (No. 208), plus two picks in round seven (Nos. 223 and 229).

The 2023 draft has so far been a mixed bag for Las Vegas. Mayer stood out as a rookie, and fourth-round quarterback Aiden O’Connell started 10 games (62.1%, 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions). Third-round receiver Tre Tucker had 331 yards and two touchdowns.

Later rounds notwithstanding, the fate of the 2023 class will likely hinge on defensive end Tyree Wilson. The Raiders took Wilson, an uber-talented 6-foot-6 specimen from Texas Tech, at No. 7 overall, but he posted just 3.5 sacks on the year. If he has a productive 2024 campaign and turns out to be a hit, that draft looks a lot better for the Raiders.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.