The Raiders have a new sense of direction with Klint Kubiak taking over as head coach and Fernando Mendoza arriving as the No. 1 overall pick. But even with those headline-grabbing moves, Las Vegas already has a weapon that league insiders are treating like one of the best at his position.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently checked in with executives and coaches around the league to gauge the top pass rushers and tight ends in football. Maxx Crosby came in at No. 4 among pass rushers, and when Fowler turned his attention to tight ends, Brock Bowers drew the kind of respect that confirms what the Raiders already know.
Bowers’ 2025 season didn’t match his rookie explosion. He finished with 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns, and he was limited to 12 games while dealing with injuries.
Still, the context matters. The quarterback play was shaky, the coaching was poor, and the production dipped accordingly.
That slump doesn’t erase what he did as a rookie, when the former No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft put up 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. It also doesn’t change the bigger picture: Bowers is just 23 and hasn’t reached his prime yet.
At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he brings more than traditional tight end traits. He has the kind of wide receiver-like ability that makes him a nightmare for defenses, and he remains the clear focal point in the passing game. With better coaching and better quarterback play on the way, there’s a strong case that he can pull away from the rest of the tight end field.
Kubiak’s system has already helped produce big numbers before. Last season, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year after posting 119 catches for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns in that scheme. Bowers plays a different position, but the fit still points in the same direction.
The league’s evaluators aren’t just staring at box scores when they make these calls. The eye test matters, and that’s where Bowers’ case gets even stronger. In the view of executives, coaches, and scouts, he already looks like the best tight end in football.
And if the Raiders’ new setup delivers what they’re hoping for, Bowers could be headed for a career year.
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For the Raiders, the wrinkle is that a deal with Seattle would not come out of nowhere. Las Vegas has brought in former Seahawks personnel, including Klint Kubiak, and that connection could help open the door if talks advance. The question now is whether the Raiders are willing to listen if the return starts centering on a first-round pick and a veteran piece from Seattle, or whether Crosbys value keeps the conversation from getting that far. [Read more 🡒]
Why Raiders Fans Should Feel Different About Ashton Jeanty Now
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Now the conversation shifts to what comes next, and the fit matters as much as the talent. With Klint Kubiak in place as the new offensive coordinator, the Raiders are moving toward a zone-based rushing approach that leans on versatile backs, which could line up better with Jeantys game if the offensive line takes a step forward and the supporting cast holds up. [Read more 🡒]