Watch Brock Bowers 'Moss' defender at Las Vegas Raiders training camp

Mike Moraitis

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Watch Brock Bowers 'Moss' defender at Las Vegas Raiders training camp image

The Las Vegas Raiders took plenty of heat for drafting tight end Brock Bowers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but so far this offseason, the rookie is showing it might have been a great selection.

The heat didn't come from the fact that Bowers isn't an extremely promising young player, because he certainly is. It came from the fact that the Raiders already had a talented young tight end in Michael Mayer and, thus, bigger needs to address.

However, Bowers has looked as advertised throughout the offseason. After regularly standing out during the offseason program last month, Bowers has continued to impress in training camp.

While this isn't the only great play he has made thus far in camp, Bowers "Mossing" fellow rookie and defensive back Phalen Sanford during a rep in practice last week might have been his best. Check out the clip below.

Thanks to his elite athleticism, Bowers isn't your average tight end. He is able to line up all over the formation on any given play, which will allow offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to deploy both of his tight ends on any given play.

"I had no clue," cornerback Nate Hobbs said of Bowers' speed, per Nick Walters of KTNV. "Usually when I get on a tight end I could let off or jog a little bit. With him, you got to be locked in because he's different."

Bowers wasn't the right tackle or cornerback Raiders fans wanted in that spot in the draft, but it's clear he has a great shot to be a true difference-maker on the offensive side of the ball, and sooner rather than later.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.