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Is Raiders’ Brock Bowers still ESPN’s No. 1 tight end despite sophomore slump?
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- Is Raiders’ Brock Bowers still ESPN’s No. 1 tight end despite sophomore slump?
Is Raiders' Brock Bowers still ESPN's No. 1 tight end despite sophomore slump? appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Las Vegas Raiders ' offseason has been headlined by the arrival of No. 1 overall pick Francisco Mendoza . But when he looks down the field to pass, he'll have an elite tight end to target in Brock Bowers .
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Bowers may be coming off of a bit of a sophomore slump. But executives, coaches and scouts around the NFL still view him as the best tight end in the league, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
"As far as route running, separation, zone instincts, yards-after-catch ability combination — he's better than the field in those areas," an NFL coordinator said. "A down year won't change that."
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"People inside the league love Bowers' versatility as an offensive chess piece," Fowler added. "He can line up in the slot, out wide or even as a fullback. He has breakaway speed, too, pushing a top speed of 19.58 mph on a 57-yard touchdown vs. Denver in 2024, per NFL Next Gen Stats."
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During the 2025 campaign, Bowers caught 64 passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. While he still made the Pro Bowl, it was a drop off from his jaw dropping rookie performance. Then, Bowers made 112 grabs for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.
But then tight end had plenty of external factors to contend with in 2025. He dealt with a knee injuries that limited him to just 12 games. Furthermore, the Raiders' quarterback situation was less than ideal, playing a big role in why Las Vegas had the top overall pick.
Mendoza may not start Week 1, but he is now the future at quarterback. Eventually, Bowers will be his top target. Then, it won't be so hard to see why he remains considered the best tight end in the league.
Related: Writer gets brutally honest on Raiders' Brock Bowers landing No. 1 tight end spot
Related: Raiders' Fernando Mendoza makes intriguing Klint Kubiak-Curt Cignetti comparison
