Brock Bowers chasing history: How close is the Raiders star to rookie TE receiving yards record?

There hasn’t been much to celebrate for the Las Vegas Raiders this season, but 2024 first-round pick and tight end Brock Bowers has been a bright spot.

Bowers has proven to be the elite talent he was rumored to be after graduating from college. Heading into the Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Bowers leads the Raiders in all major receiving categories, including receptions (87), receiving yards (933) and touchdowns (four).

Bowers has already broken several records, most recently last week when he broke the rookie tight end record for most receptions in a single season, previously held by Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta with 84.

But Bowers isn’t done yet. With 933 receiving yards, Bowers is just 144 shy of the single-season record as a rookie tight end held by Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka, who had 1,076 yards in 1961.

The Georgia product is also chasing the receiving record for all rookie pass catchers, held by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who reached 105 in 2023. Bowers has four games left, giving him 19 more, which works out to a rate of 4.75 per game.

Bowers had an incredible season, but what makes it even more impressive is the fact that the Raiders had one of the worst quarterback situations in the NFL this season.

I can only imagine what Bowers would have done with better quarterback play. We can only hope the Raiders find a solution in 2025 and give the star tight end a great long-term quarterback. If that happens, Bowers will break all sorts of records throughout his career.

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