Raiders News: Brock Bowers Finishes Rookie Season With Historic Numbers

In Week 17, Las Vegas Raiders stalwart rookie tight end added to his sterling rookie season by surpassing Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua’s rookie record for receptions. Bowers’ seven catches put him at 108, moving him ahead of Nacua, who had 105 for the Rams just one season ago.

But right on Bowers’ heels was another excellent rookie in New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. The promising Giants star played in the early slate of games in Week 18 and his five catches put him at 109 on the year, moving him ahead of Nacua and Bowers.

In the first half of the Raiders’ final game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Bowers had no catches, and it seemed as if there was a chance Nabers could hold on to the new record. But that wouldn’t hold as Bowers would reel in four receptions in the second half, giving him 112 on the season and re-taking the rookie receptions record from Nabers.

Bowers finished the season with 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, along with several records set in what was truly an outstanding first season with the Raiders.

In addition to the rookie receptions record, with Bowers also becoming the first rookie tight end to reach 100 receptions in NFL history, Bowers also broke Mike Ditka’s record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end. Additionally he became the first rookie tight end, and third rookie ever, with three games of at least 10 receptions and set a Raiders single-season record for receptions by any player.

Coming into the draft, Bowers was viewed as one of the best players at any position and a potentially revolutionary player at the tight end position. He proved to be exactly that in his first year with the Raiders and showed why many were surprised he even lasted to that point in the draft, as most assumed he would be gone by then.

While he won’t win the award thanks to QB Jayden Daniels leading the Washington Commanders to the playoffs, Bowers is more than deserving of the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Instead he will still have his records, a Pro Bowl selection, and in all likelihood a First Team All-Pro selection which is more than enough.

Raiders Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby named to AFC Pro Bowl roster

Finishing his rookie season third in receptions amongst all players and eighth in receiving yards, Brock Bowers was a no-brainer selection for the AFC Pro Bowl roster. And he won’t be the Raiders’ only representative, as star defensive end Maxx Crosby was named to the roster as well.

Linebacker Robert Spillane was also deserving and may be named as a replacement, but the Colts’ Zaire Franklin and Ravens’ Roquan Smith got the nod over him.