Brock Bowers Reflects on Draft Night Surprise After Record-Breaking Rookie Season with Raiders

Brock Bowers created rookie record while playing for the Raiders even though he never expected them to draft him.

Brock Bowers Reflects on Draft Night Surprise After Record-Breaking Rookie Season with Raiders

Raiders TE Brock Bowers faces Rams defender (Image via IMAGO)

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Week 4 of the 2024-25 season, first quarter at Mile High Stadium, Brock Bowers scored his first touchdown (57 yards) in the NFL and never looked back. The Las Vegas Raiders fans were in disbelief because, at times, he looked like the best tight end in the entire league.

But what if he never played for the Raiders? Analysts projected Bowers as a top first-round pick to teams such as the Los Angeles Chargers or the Seattle Seahawks. The Raiders were not even considered a destination for Bowers.

The 22-year-old thought he would end up being drafted by either the Chargers, the New York Jets, or the Chicago Bears until the Raiders made the call to his house on day one. It took Bowers and his agent by surprise.

‘Should I pick this up?’ and he [agent] said, ‘Hell yeah, pick it up!’

Brock Bowers told Taylor Lewan and Will Compton on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast

The Raiders used their 13th overall pick to draft Brock Bowers as their new tight end to replace veteran (briefly retired) Hunter Renfrow.

Bowers played every game for the Raiders in the 2024-25 season. He set rookie tight end records for both receptions (112) and receiving yards (1194).

Despite the historic season, the Raiders regressed last year, winning just 4 games. It was the club’s worst season since moving to Vegas from Oakland, which ended in the sacking of Antonio Pierce.

Brock Bowers recalled facing harassment in college because of SEC rivalry

The SEC is arguably the toughest conference in college football. Big programs, including Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and South Carolina, call it their home, and there’s fierce rivalry among these schools that extends to the fans.

Brock Bowers Reflects on Draft Night Surprise After Record-Breaking Rookie Season with Raiders
Brock Bowers (Image via IMAGO)

Bowers played three seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs. His girlfriend, Cameron Rose Newell, on the other hand, enrolled in the University of Tennessee—the Volunteers. As a result, both often faced harassment from rival fan groups.

She had the 19 jersey on, so she was pulling for me. But she was getting kind of yelled at by her friends… [My girlfriend is] getting DMs like, ‘Your girlfriend’s out here with all the frats and stuff.’ And she’s getting messages like, ‘Your boyfriend sucks‘.

Bowers told Lewan and Compton

The situation turned ugly when Georgia faced Tennessee on rival game day.

It was definitely a little tough [situation to handle]… Especially like when we’re [Georgia and Tennessee] playing against each other.

Bowers said

Bowers played 40 games in three seasons for the Dogs. He caught 175 passes for 2538 yards and scored 26 touchdowns, along with 19 carries for 193 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns on the ground.

College and the NFL have two different environments. BB realized the difference the moment he set foot on the Raiders’ training ground.

In college, coaches always look after the players and push them to the extreme to bring out the best. The NFL coaches let players fend for themselves.

The Raiders are scheduled to start their 2025 offseason training camp on July 22 at the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Nevada.

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