What Raiders TE Brock Bowers learned from other star TEs

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers made huge leaps in his rookie season. He produced and made plays despite playing with two quarterbacks. It probably wasn't a surprise to the Raiders since they've seen it in practice.

Just what is the encore for Bowers? If talking to other Pro Bowl tight ends is any indication, a big season could be upcoming for Bowers.

Bowers was a guest on "Bussin with the Boys", hosted by former NFL players Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, and shared what he learned from George Kittle, Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski while at Tight End University.

“Kittle, probably, he’s got the tenacity when he’s blocking,” Bowers said. “He’s nasty, he’s a really good blocker. And just effort-wise, too, downfield. He’s awesome to watch playing. And then Kelce just gets open, filling voids. I mean, he does such a good job of that. It’s like filling open space and just getting open. And then Gronk running after the catch, it’s pretty fun to watch him.”

Bowers picking the brains of star TE's could be a bad thing for the rest of the NFL after he already made his mark last season, appearing in the Pro Bowl and finishing with 1,194 yards and five touchdowns with Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew as his QBs. He set multiple records, including Mike Ditka's long-standing record for most receiving yards by a rookie TE.

The Raiders made Bowers the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft under then-general manager Tom Telesco. The selection has turned into a jackpot pot for the Raiders, who hope Bowers can take his game to another level. This season, it is a bit different for Bowers since he has QB Geno Smith, who threw for 4,320 yards with the Seattle Seahawks last season.

It is likely Bowers will be the primary weapon for the Raiders and rightfully so. Listed at 6-foot-4, the tight end was an imposing figure on the field who is only going to get better. The Raiders haven't had a homegrown TE since the days of Hall of Famer Dave Casper.

His trajectory could get better after speaking to Kittle, Kelce and Gronkowski, who have already made their mark and are likely headed for the Hall of Fame. 

Bowers could be next in line if he continues to produce at a high level.