Raiders HC Antonio Pierce says Brock Bowers was most dynamic college football tight end 'in a long time'
Former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers was one of the biggest mysteries heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Not because of his talent, but because of his position and the uniqueness of this year’s draft class, as many were curious about where one of the top prospects would land in the first round.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Bowers with the No. 13 overall pick in the draft following an unprecedented run of quarterbacks being selected within the top 12 picks. And ahead of rookie minicamp, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce spoke about what makes Bowers special and what he brings to Las Vegas.
“I mean, you’re talking about probably the most dynamic player in college football at that tight end position in a long time,” Pierce said. “It’s rare you get a guy like that, that can line up as a slot receiver, see him in the backfield, reverses, catch the ball. But I think more importantly, it’s his toughness. Watching him block in the SEC, watching him get after guys, I mean that’s what impressed me. Just a gritty player, more importantly a winner, and he can help us score points.”
Bowers was an integral part of Georgia’s championship success the past three college football seasons, ending his college career with 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns.
He became the first player to take home the John Mackey Award twice after doing so the past two seasons, but a player who has also been a finalist for the award is also on the Raiders’ roster. The franchise selected former Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer with the No. 35 overall pick in the second round of last year’s draft.
The Raiders using half of their first and second-round picks in the past two years on top tight ends made some scratch their heads. But Pierce is convinced that having both on the field at the same time could be effective for the Las Vegas offense when asked how successful the duo could be together.
“Successful. You look at the National Football League… it’s difficult. I mean, being a former player going against 12 personnel, the matchups, the alignments that they get you in, what you defensively [do] I think becomes an issue as well,” Pierce explained.
“But you’re looking at really — I think we’re fortunate to have two tight ends on our roster that in the last four years of college football were pretty much the best two, and I think hopefully that creates issues,” Pierce said. “It’s going to create issues for us at practice, we’ll see that. In our division, we’ve got some really good tight ends, so it’ll be good reps for us as well.”
Las Vegas selected back-to-back offensive linemen following the Bowers pick, also signing veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew this offseason. And with an elite wide receiver like Devante Adams and newfound strength at the tight end position, it will be intriguing to see what new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy cooks up this upcoming season in Las Vegas.