Tom Brady, Geno Smith, and the Las Vegas Raiders are heading into a highly experimental season. It’s a new group of familiar names who have had success elsewhere, and it remains to be seen if they can recreate that success together.
However, what the Raiders can bank on is a certifiable youth movement permeating the roster. Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Maxx Crosby are all vying to be the new face of a proud franchise that hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 1984.
Brock Bowers Named Raiders’ Best Player
In his “Every NFL Team’s Best Player” article, PFSN’s Jacob Infante was stuck between Crosby’s consistency and Bowers’ historic rookie season while choosing the Las Vegas Raiders’ best player. He eventually sided with the tight end.
“Maxx Crosby is one of the top edge rushers in the NFL, making him an extremely difficult snub here,” Infante wrote. “While he’s been consistent throughout his tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders, it’s hard to ignore the season that Brock Bowers had in 2024.
“Bowers set rookie records for the most total receptions in a single season, as well as breaking the receiving yards record for a rookie tight end. He’s a rare athlete at the tight end position and has already proven himself as a difference-maker on offense.”
Bowers hit the ground running as a rookie, delivering immediate value as the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Raiders’ standout tight end led all players at his position in receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,194 yards), breaking the Raiders’ record for most receptions in a season by any player. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod in his debut season.
Every Brock Bowers play over 20+ yards.
Kid is a monster. pic.twitter.com/vEVZ95ZRsF
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) May 25, 2025
That production is even more impressive considering the Raiders’ revolving door at quarterback. Bowers caught passes from a mix of Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder. Despite the team’s 4-13 record, the rookie proved he was every bit as good as advertised.
The Raiders have hired Pete Carroll as their new head coach and Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator. The new coaching staff, alongside Smith under center, will benefit Bowers and could give him a chance to break Travis Kelce’s single-season record of most receiving yards for a tight end. In 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs star had 105 receptions, 1,416 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 15 games.
While the Raiders returned for voluntary workouts this spring, Bowers returned to campus with the blessing of team ownership. The 22-year-old returned to the University of Georgia to finish his degree in finance, walking across the stage for graduation at Georgia’s Terry College of Business on May 9.
“A playbook, you learn it and you know it, to be successful for your team,” Bowers said, via the Raiders’ website. “School is for yourself. It’s a different kind of pressure. You’re competing against yourself.”
