Although only drafted three months ago, former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers has already made waves in the NFL.
The Las Vegas Raiders undoubtedly picked a star when they selected Bowers with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25.
Last month, Bowers was selected as one of 22 players chosen on NFL.com’s 2024 All-Rookie Team. Bowers joins former teammate Javon Bullard as the only two former Bulldogs to make the team this year.
Bowers’ success in training camp has caught the attention of the Raiders’ second-year tight end Michael Mayer. Mayer was admittedly shocked and anything but excited when the Raiders chose to use their No. 13 overall pick to take Bowers in this year’s draft. After all, Mayer was drafted last year in the second round out of Notre Dame.
However, Mayer’s early opinions about Bowers began to change after seeing his success during the team’s OTAs this spring. Mayer, who struggled in his rookie season last year, no longer looks at Bowers as a threat. Instead, he sees a powerful tight end duo that can create havoc for defenses this coming fall.
“How are you going to stop [us]?” Mayer said. “Brock has a lot of speed … I’ve gotten a little bit faster, and I think there’s a ton of things — No. 1, in the run game, Brock will be able to help me out with, too, blocking. But then No. 2, who’s going to guard both of us? If you put a ‘backer here, put a small safety here? I’m a big body, Brock’s a big body, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Bowers’ success in early practices has also turned the head of Raider’s new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Getsy was hired in February 2024 and is excited to bring new life to a struggling Raiders offense, specifically through the addition of Bowers. Getsy is especially excited about the pair of talented young tight ends and the opportunities for success that they can bring each other.
“Brock’s a unique guy … he was probably the best player in the SEC for some time there, and he won a bunch of games,” Getsy said. “Any time you can add that type of caliber of player into your organization, you’re going to get better. And you match him and you pair him with the talent that we already have here, I think that just makes you more dynamic. This league’s about finding as many dynamic guys as you can get on your team. That’s the goal.”
The Raiders plan to run a lot of 12-personnel offense in order to utilize both tight ends on the field simultaneously. By using one running back and two tight ends, the Raiders plan to cause problems for NFL defenses and keep defenders guessing. Both Mayer and Bowers are proven threats in the run and pass games and will be key pieces of the Raiders offense in the fall
Reporters outside the organization have also begun to take notice of the Georgia alum’s visible talent. ESPN reporter Paul Guiterrez has nothing but praises for Bowers’ noticeable talent being shown in practice.
“Bowers glides when he runs, his stride resembling that of a free-flowing wideout more than a stereotypical lumbering tight end,” Gutierrez says.
The two-time Mackey Award winner already has a proven resume of talent and success. Bowers has impressed in training camps and is showing promise to continue to build his star-studded resume as he enters the NFL. Bowers is in prime position to thrive in the Raiders’ rejuvenated offense under Getsy and alongside teammate Mayer. Many eyes will look towards Bowers for offensive success as he lines up against the Minnesota Vikings in U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 10 for the Raiders’ first preseason game.
