The Las Vegas Raiders, in their first move of the Antino Pierce era, went tight end with the 13th overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft. With three wide receivers already off the board, Las Vegas opted for an elite pass catcher in a different form, selecting Georgia football star Brock Bowers in the early portion of the first round.
Bowers, one of the most versatile players in college football over the past few seasons, posted monster numbers at the tight end position during his time with the juggernaut Georgia football program. Bowers became the first player selected from Georgia and will join a Raiders squad headed by superstar wide receiver Davante Adams. Las Vegas fans flooded social media, mainly Twitter (also known as X), with excitement for their team’s most recent addition.
NFL Fans React to Georgia Football Star Brock Bowers Landing with Las Vegas Raiders
Many pundits consider Brock Bowers one of the best tight-end prospects in recent memory. Former Georgia football star Brock Bowers did not have to wait long to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL draft. Bowers joins an elite group of tight ends to go early in the first round, including current Atlanta Falcons pass-catcher Kyle Pitts.
Bowers, a six-foot-four, 230-pound tight end, played three seasons at Georgia. A four-star recruit, Bowers immediately made an impact, snagging 56 receptions for 682 yards and 13 touchdowns during his true freshman season in 2021. He caught a touchdown in each of his team’s College Football Playoff games. Bowers registered a career-best 63 receptions and 842 yards the following season. He also rushed nine times for 109 yards and three touchdowns while again leading the Bulldogs to their second straight title. He earned All-American honors.
Bowers again played well last season, catching 56 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns in ten games, parlaying it to top draft status on Thursday. The Las Vegas Raiders made a splash with the addition of Bowers in the 2024 NFL draft, to much excitement from their fans. The Raiders faithful did not hold back their enthusiasm for Bowers’s future in the NFL.
Brock Bowers WOW. Can’t believe the Raiders drafted him pic.twitter.com/mUWiWJVLKA
— Raiders Report Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) April 26, 2024
This is for #RaiderNation
Let me introduce y'all to Brock Bowers pic.twitter.com/p8MtC4OfzP
— JByrd | 🖤❤️ | 🏆🏆 | (@CuteJByrd) April 26, 2024
“Brock Bowers is the most NFL-ready player in the 2024 Draft.” – Nick Saban
Raiders got a steal. Hope they unleash him. pic.twitter.com/lKVl1jeUxJ
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) April 26, 2024
ANTONIO PIERCE JUST GOT HIMSELF ANOTHER BALLER. WHAT A STEAL … BROCK BOWERS AT 13!!! NO QB YET. BUT NO MATTER THE NEED … YOU JUST CANNOT PASS UP BROCK BOWERS AT 13. CONGRATS, RAIDER NATION.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 26, 2024
Brock bowers is crazy value at 13, but feels like a luxury pick
— raidermattdaniels (@notaguyfromsac) April 26, 2024
Couldn't love Brock Bowers to the Raiders more. No one mocked it because of Michael Mayer, but they can easily co-exist in the same way Gronk/Hernandez did
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) April 26, 2024
Las Vegas Raiders: TE Depth Chart
Bowers, the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, will likely head the tight end room as a rookie. A year after selecting Notre Dame product Michael Mayer in the second round, the Las Vegas Raiders now add Bowers to the mix. Rookie tight ends, including Mayer, have largely struggled. However, Detroit Lions pass catcher Sam LaPorta had 86 receptions for 889 yards and ten scores in 2023.
Mayer flashed at times as a rookie last year, catching 27 passes for 304 yards and two scores. Las Vegas also inked tight end Harrison Bryant to a contract this offseason. The former Cleveland Brown had 13 receptions for 81 yards and three scores in 17 games last season. However, he has 89 catches in his four-year NFL career.
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