Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers may already sit atop the stat sheet, but his ceiling is even higher heading into the 2025 NFL season.
The Raiders tight end led all players at his position in receptions and receiving yards last year as a rookie, delivering on his first-round draft pedigree. But according to Pro Football Focus, he’s still far from a finished product — and in fact, could be primed for a true breakout.
Las Vegas Raiders Expected To Surpass All NFL TEs In 2025
“It might seem unusual to include the league leader in receptions and yards among tight ends on a list of breakout candidates, but Brock Bowers still has room to grow,” PFF wrote. He finished behind George Kittle and Trey McBride in overall and receiving grades last season, with both veterans also offering more as blockers in systems that demand it.
What separates tight ends like Travis Kelce in Kansas City is their ability to dominate as the focal point of the passing game — something Bowers is now in position to do. “For Bowers to be considered the best tight end in the NFL, he’ll need to clearly establish himself as the top receiving option at the position,” PFF noted.
That leap could happen quickly with significant changes in Las Vegas. Despite the Raiders ranking 31st in team passing grade last season, Bowers set rookie records. Now, with former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith — who ranked eighth in PFF’s passing grade in 2024 — at the helm, Bowers should benefit from a more efficient and better-structured offense.
If that improved structure allows Bowers to refine his role as a pass catcher while continuing to evolve as a complete tight end, he won’t just be one of the best young players in the league — he could redefine the standard for the position.