Brock Bowers had one of the greatest seasons from a rookie tight end in NFL history and is being rewarded for it. The NFL Players Association made their selections for the third annual players all-pro team. This team is selected by players in the NFL who vote for the best players at their position and the positions they line up against. J.C. Tretter has explained the format with the example of an offensive lineman that can only vote for their own position, defensive linemen, and off-ball linebackers. Brock Bowers selection to the team shows just how historic his rookie season has been and the reputation he’s built in the NFL.
Brock Bowers’ Historic Season
Brock Bowers’ selection to the NFLPA’s All-Pro team means that he was voted by NFL tight ends, defensive backs, and linebackers as the best tight end in the NFL this season. Doing that as a rookie is a rare feat that should be applauded. Tight ends have been one of the more volatile positions in the NFL, where it usually takes rookies a couple of seasons to break out. But this was never the case for Bowers. In his first season, he has been the biggest threat in the Las Vegas Raiders offense.
This season, Brock Bowers caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. He was first among tight ends in receiving yards and eighth in the NFL. He was also first among tight ends in receptions and third in the NFL, only behind Ja’Marr Chase and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The only other tight ends that eclipsed 1,000 yards and were close to Brock Bowers in production were Trey McBride and George Kittle. These statistics not only put Bowers among elite company in the NFL but were historic for rookie tight ends in the league.
With 112 receptions, Brock Bowers broke the record for most receptions in a season by a rookie tight end. He was just four catches shy of tying Zach Ertz’s all-time record for tight end receptions in a season. He also broke the record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end. This is partly due to the 17-game season, but is still historic, and Bowers was still the most productive tight end in the NFL. His historic season made waves around the league, as he was the only rookie selected to the NFLPA All-Pro team.
Brock Bowers’ Situation
What makes Brock Bowers excellent rookie season more remarkable is that he did it on an underwhelming Las Vegas Raiders team. The Raiders went 4-13 with Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder at quarterback. With rotating quarterbacks and a struggling offense, it makes Bowers output this season look even stronger. As a rookie, Bowers became the greatest offensive weapon the Raiders had. He led the team in receiving yards, touchdowns, and targets. Once the Raiders traded Devante Adams, Brock Bowers became the team’s number one option, and he lived up to the billing and emerged as one of the most reliable targets in the NFL.
Rookie tight ends have often struggled in their rookie seasons. Kyle Pitts was drafted with the 4th overall pick, and while he had a 1,000-yard rookie season, he has not come close to that production since. TJ Hockenson was drafted 8th overall and took a couple of seasons to become a top tight end. But Brock Bowers, drafted 13th overall, has immediately become a top tight end in the league. His peers selected him for the NFLPA All-Pro team, meaning they view him as the best at the position this season. Hopefully Brock Bowers can continue to build on the historic start to his career.
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