Fantasy football managers have spent years trying to find tight ends who behave like wide receivers, and Brock Bowers has made the distinction feel mostly administrative.
Brock Bowers’ 2025 Dip Came with Plenty of Fine Print
In a recent fantasy breakdown on PFN’s “The Hot List,” analyst Jacob Infante made Bowers his No. 2 tight end for 2026 and argued that last season’s statistical retreat did little to change the case.
The Raiders star still averaged 14.7 PPR points per game, tied for second at the position, despite playing through a knee injury and dealing with quarterback play that went backward.
“Bowers was really productive in 2025,” Infante said. “Admittedly, it was a little bit of a production dip from what he had as a rookie.”
The dip was real, but hardly a collapse. Bowers finished with 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. His rookie year produced 112 catches and 1,194 yards, but a PCL injury cost him five games and compromised stretches of the season.
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The quarterback environment did him no favors. The analyst pointed out that Aidan O’Connell posted a 71.9 PFN QB Impact score in 2024, while Geno Smith fell to 64.7 as Las Vegas’ primary starter in 2025.
Even through that mess, Bowers remained a matchup problem that barely resembles a traditional tight end. According to PFN’s TE Impact Metric, he posted an impact score of 83.8, ranking fifth in the league.
“He’s an elite athlete. He’s an incredible route runner,” Infante added. “He’s truly a wide receiver in a tight end’s body. I mean, he’s a capable blocker, but that receiving upside is out of this world.”
Las Vegas Still Has Every Reason to Feed Bowers
The interesting part of the 2026 projection is that Las Vegas does not need perfection at quarterback; it just needs improvement.
Kirk Cousins and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza are still competing for the starting job. Head coach Klint Kubiak has not publicly named a Week 1 starter, but either option gives Bowers a fresh setup after Smith’s difficult season.
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The early returns have been encouraging. Raiders camp reports have repeatedly highlighted Cousins’ connection with Bowers, and Mendoza has also found him in tight windows. Bowers has returned to full health after last year’s knee trouble.
There is also no established alpha wide receiver demanding 150 targets. The Raiders’ current depth chart lists Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, and Tre Tucker at receiver. Bowers remains the most accomplished pass catcher in the building.
“They still don’t have a true bona fide WR1 in the mix there,” Infante continued. “So, I really think Bowers is going to get the lion’s share of the targets in the passing game.”
PFN’s PPR rankings go further, placing Bowers as the TE1 for 2026.
Calling him a tight end is technically correct. Fantasy managers may be better off treating it as a roster designation.
