Category: Oakland Raiders

Brock Bowers is exceeding the pre-draft hype with a record-setting rookie season

Brock Bowers is exceeding the pre-draft hype with a record-setting rookie season for the Raiders

Brock Bowers was hyped up as perhaps the best tight end prospect in many years, perhaps ever, ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Hyperbole and top-5 overall rankings for the Georgia tight end were everywhere.

And they’ve already proven quite worthwhile for Bowers. As the first-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders, Bowers is proving to be the greatest rookie tight end in NFL history.

Really.

With an incredible 13 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown in Las Vegas’ Week 11 loss to the Dolphins, Bowers pushed out his already impressive start to record-setting levels.

Bowers broke the rookie record for tight ends in both receptions (70) and receiving yards (706) through the first 10 games of a career in the Super Bowl era. Only Hall of Famer Mike Ditka had more receiving yards for a tight end in the first 10 games.

The No. 13 overall pick also leads the NFL in receptions regardless of position. Bowers tops the TE list in receiving yards and touchdowns.

That’s a heck of a start for the Georgia prodigy.

 

AFC West Rookie Impact: Each team has talented pass catchers that could play major roles

All four of the AFC West teams have talented pass catchers who could make big impacts as rookies

The start of the 2023-2024 NFL season is right around the corner and with it a batch of new rookies are ready to make their mark. Over the next couple of days, we will take a look at what rookies could make the most impact for each team. Let’s get started with the AFC West Division.

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Raiders 4th-rounder Aidan O’Connell was the top rookie QB in preseason Week 1

Raiders 4th-rounder Aidan O’Connell was the top rookie QB in preseason Week 1 in Las Vegas’ win over the 49ers

The first week of preseason football showed off the debut of the rookie class around the NFL. Preseason games are huge for rookies, but especially for the quarterback class. All eyes tend to get focused on the most important position in professional sports.

The draft class of 2023 saw several QBs take the field in preseason Week 1. While C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson all had notable (good and bad) performances, it was a Day 3 passer who turned in the best opening weekend.

Raiders fourth-rounder Aidan O’Connell turned in an outstanding game in Las Vegas’ 34-6 rout of the San Francisco 49ers. O’Connell got the start and played deep into the game in part because there was no reason to pull the Purdue product.

O’Connell lit up the Niners defense, completing 15 of his 18 pass attempts for 141 yards and a touchdown. Arguably his best throw of the night, a deep shot to WR Tre Tucker, clanked to the ground as a drop, too. He was poised, efficient and even flashed some pocket mobility.

After the game, former NFL coach Steve Mariuccui couldn’t contain his excitement for O’Connell, who led Purdue to the Big Ten championship game in 2022.

O’Connell has the advantage of already being 25 and comes from a pro-friendly offense in college. For the Raiders, getting a ready-to-roll backup behind oft-injured starter Jimmy Garoppolo was a prerogative. The first look at Aidan O’Connell has to be encouraging for head coach Josh McDaniels.