Last season Bowers exploded for 112 receptions on a whopping 153 targets for 1194 yards and 5 touchdowns. Yet there has been a debate on when he should be drafted. According to NFFC fantasy league,s his ADP is 18 overall. I have seen him drafted as high as 13 and as low as 30. Proponents bring up the fact that he should see volume regression with the Raiders adding RB Ashton Jeanty and several receivers in this season’s draft. Some feel his volume will regress because QB Geno Smith has never focused on targeting a tight end. Some compare him with Lions TE Sam LaPorta who had major regression in his second season. All that makes sense but I am going to go over and debunk much of what the naysayers have to say and give you reasons on why I like Brock Bowers more than most.
Volume Regression
Sure, it is going to be difficult to match the 153 targets but his player prop at FanDuel Sports Book is at 1025.5 yards. That is a healthy number for a tight end. He will give you a huge advantage over your competition if he comes close or surpasses that number. Let’s face it, no matter how you slice it, he is the Raiders best receiver and should lead the team in receiving. Not to mention, he only had 5 touchdowns last season and I could see him having double-digit touchdowns that would make up for a little bit of regression.
Geno Doesn’t Throw to Tight Ends
Bowers is a major upgrade to any tight end Geno has ever had. Do you remember the names of any tight ends Geno has had outside of Noah Fant? Bowers is the best receiver on the team and is matchup proof and will get the football. A luxury you rarely see at tight end.
Remember Sam LaPorta’s Second Season?
It seems like those who don’t want to draft a tight end early are making up all kinds of excuses to discredit him as a second- round pick. There are many differences between Bowers and LaPorta. For starters, LaPorta had an injury history after hyperextending his knee in the previous season’s playoffs. He also strained his hamstring early in training camp and then sprained his lower extremity early in regular season. Not to say that Bowers can’t get injured but he is 100%. Also, Bowers is a better player via my eyeball test. He is better on one-on-one balls and can’t be matched up by the defense. But the biggest difference is that Bowers is the Raiders top passing optionunlike LaPorta who is the Lions third or fourth option. The best players get the ball and that’s what Bowers is.
In conclusion, I am drafting Bowers in the second round because he gives my team a huge advantage over other teams. I have convictions that RB Tyrone Tracy, WRs Ricky Pearsall, and Matthew Golden are going to make big contributions which gives me confidence taking a tight end early. I have him ranked as the 15th best player making him an early second round pick.