After finishing as the top tight end in fantasy last year for PPR, it makes sense that Brock Bowers is ranked at the top again this year. Heading into year two, some factors could lead to a sophomore slump of sorts, with changes to the offensive play-calling, the quarterback position, and new additions to the offense.
The big difference is also ADP, as you will likely need to draft the former first-round tight end in the second round of fantasy football redrafts for most leagues in 2025. That is in comparison to the eighth or ninth round ADP heading into the NFL as a rookie.
Bowers’ role could change under Pete Carroll and with Geno Smith. However, he is still the obvious focal point for the Vegas offense, but with the drafting of a first-round running back in Ashton Jeanty, there are more weapons for the Raiders than in 2024.
Breaking rookie and position records last season, the former 22-year-old Georgia Bulldog had an All-Timer last year and won fantasy managers’ leagues where he was taken. While George Kittle beat him out in standard and half-PPR, according to Fantasy Pros, Bowers was still better than Trey McBride for PPR at the tight end position.
For 2024, he just had five weeks of single digits for PPR, while the rest of the season was a consistent option that won you your week, most likely. Bowers was forced fed as the top pass-catching weapon in Vegas, with nine weeks over 15 fantasy points.
He had two weeks with over 20 and two over 30 while playing the whole regular season, not missing any game action during the year. Despite inconsistent quarterback play from Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, Bowers was the go-to guy from the jump as a rookie starter, like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.
Bowers had the third highest amount of receptions (112) out of all pass-catchers, five receiving touchdowns, and 1,194 yards in 2024, and was basically a shoo-in for at least five catches and 50 yards.
For 2025, the concern is mostly price-related on when you will have to draft him. Taking the top tight end but then passing up an elite receiver or running back might be costly. The appeal for taking him as a rookie was his ADP. But now, it might be better to find the next mid-round breakout tight end in rounds 7-9 instead.
The other things to mention with his fantasy profile are the target volume potentially being more spread out with Geno as his new quarterback. The Raiders also still have Michael Mayer, Jakobi Meyers, and Tre Tucker. This is on top of Jeanty, who could see some receiving work out of the backfield like Kenneth Walker III in Seattle with the Seahawks.
Vegas will also look to be more run-heavy compared to last year, as they were down early in most games and had to pass to get back in games. With not the most touchdown equity on the team, if his target volume goes down compared to 2024, that could make his floor more of a general top-five tight end rather than top three.
I might rather wait on taking Kittle or McBride and get the round or two discount, and get a better receiver or running back to start. Especially with a premium pick in the second round, maybe if Bowers is available in the third, it will be worth the cost.
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