The Las Vegas Raiders are off to an underwhelming start to the 2024 campaign, as the team has a record of 2-3 through five weeks and is dealing with a ton of negative off-the-field drama surrounding wide receiver Davante Adams' trade request.
There haven't been many positives from the season for Las Vegas thus far, but one of the lone bright spots is rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
The No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has already established himself as one of the better tight ends in football, leading all players at his position in receiving yards (313) and receptions (28).
Bowers put together another stellar afternoon on Sunday during the Raiders' Week 5 matchup versus the Denver Broncos and received some national attention from Pro Football Focus.
The former Georgia standout's impressive performance in Week 5 landed him on PFF's Team of the Week, and Bowers was also named the Rookie of the Week by the website.
"Bowers' impressive start to the season continued on Sunday, as he averaged 2.94 yards per route run in the Raiders' loss to the Denver Broncos," Pro Football Focus' Gordon McGuinness wrote. "Through five weeks, he has earned an 82.7 PFF grade, the best among all tight ends."
The 21-year-old stepped up with Adams not playing, hauling in eight catches for 97 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown. He led all Raiders pass-catchers in receptions and yards.
Bowers' exceptional start to his rookie campaign is something to celebrate during a disheartening period in Las Vegas.
General manager Tom Telesco's decision to pass on an offensive lineman or impact defensive player in favor of a tight end was heavily criticized, but Bowers is proving Telesco right.
The former All-American is a generational talent at the position and will be a pivotal piece in the Raiders' inevitable rebuild this offseason.
