The Las Vegas Raiders ended up getting the best overall player in the 2024 NFL Draft. They needed a quarterback more than any other position, but instead, they snagged Brock Bowers, who has the potential to be the best tight end in the draft.
Bowers fell to pick No. 13 because he doesn't play as important of a position. Also, six quarterbacks went in the first 12 picks. If the offense had been good last season, the Raiders may have thought differently about taking Bowers.
However, despite not needing a tight end that much, the best available player approach they took could transform their offensive struggles into a formidable force. Bowers' addition to the team brings a new level of versatility and skill to the offense, potentially improving their performance in various areas such as scoring, red zone efficiency, and third-down conversions.
The biggest reason Bowers is being considered one of the best players in this draft, and the absolute best by many, is because of his free athleticism. He doesn't quite have the frame of a Rob Gronkowski, but he does have the physical tools outside of that.
And he showed that at the rookie minicamp on Friday almost right away.
That burst is pretty crazy for someone who plays the position he does. Then, there is Bowers doing high knees, and his vertical looks crazy. The guy can do anything and make it look inhuman.
I think soon, everyone in Raider Nation will find out that Bowers is extremely talented and doesn't really have a position. He is just a football player.
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