LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who was a three-time All-America at Georgia, has taken the NFL by storm.
Bowers is second in the league with 87 receptions and will be the X-factor when the Falcons (6-7) play the Raiders (2-11) at 8:30 p.m. Monday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
“Man, he’s killing it,” Falcons wide receiver Drake London said. “He’s just a big target. Somebody who’s ferocious. He’s definitely a good player and can’t wait to see how his career ends up.”
Bowers was selected with the 13th overall pick, five picks after the Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He has started 12 of 13 games. He’s been targeted 118 times and has amassed 933 yards and four touchdowns.
“He’s one of a kind,” Falcons safety Jessie Bates III said. “He’s doing a good job in the run game, blocking. He’s doing a good job playing receiver when he wants to play receiver. He’s just done a really good job coming in and putting his mark on the league. They’ve done a really good job of getting him the ball and the opportunities to make big plays.”
The Raiders run their offense through Bowers.
“You always have to know where he’s at,” Bates said. “I’m excited to go against him for sure.”
Bowers’ 87 catches are the most by a rookie tight end in NFL history. With six catches against the Falcons, he can surpass Michael Thomas (92 catches in 2016) for the fourth-most receptions by a rookie in NFL history. Only Rams’ Puka Nacua (105, 2023), Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle (104, 2021), Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin (101, 2003) and Thomas are ahead of Bowers.
With 67 yards receiving, Bowers can join Hall of Famer Mike Ditka (1,076, 1961, 14 games) and Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (1,026, 2021, 17 games) as the only rookie tight ends all-time with 1,000 receiving yards.
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