Brock Bowers Set for Record Push as Raiders Boost Passing Game

After a rookie season that redefined expectations for a first-year tight end, Brock Bowers enters 2025 with new tools, a new quarterback and the possibility of making NFL history. The Las Vegas Raiders' young star broke long-standing rookie records in 2024, and with Geno Smith now leading the offence, the team is set to lean more heavily on the passing game. That could place Bowers in prime position to challenge the single-season receiving yardage mark for his position.

Rookie season sets the stage

In his first NFL year, Bowers caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, setting new benchmarks for a rookie tight end and surpassing a record once held by Mike Ditka by 118 yards. Those numbers also broke the NFL's overall rookie receptions record previously set by Puka Nacua. His college career at Georgia had already signalled he was capable of immediate impact, with 170 receptions, 2,417 yards and 24 touchdowns in just three seasons.

What made his debut season stand out was not only the volume of catches but the consistency of his production. He had seven games with double-digit targets and two standout performances that saw him top 120 yards receiving. For fantasy football managers, his output rivalled that of top wide receivers, placing him among the league's elite in point-per-reception formats.

Bowers achieved these feats despite working with multiple quarterbacks during the season. The arrival of Smith, coupled with new head coach Pete Carroll's offensive approach, offers him a more stable environment in which to build on his success.

Lessons from the best

This summer, Bowers attended Tight End University, an annual event bringing together the game's top players at the position. Speaking on the Bussin' With The Boys podcast, he explained how he learned from George Kittle's blocking intensity, Travis Kelce's knack for finding open spaces and Rob Gronkowski's ability to break tackles after the catch. Those insights, he said, would help him round out his skills in areas beyond pass-catching.

The importance of these lessons cannot be understated. Kittle's blocking is a model for how tight ends can contribute to the run game, while Kelce's route awareness has kept him at the top of the league for years. Gronkowski's after-the-catch power added an extra dimension to his play, making him a constant scoring threat.

By studying these traits, Bowers has positioned himself not just as a receiving target but as a complete offensive weapon. This could make him even more difficult for opposing defences to contain in 2025.

Eyes on Kelce's record

The next milestone within reach is the NFL's single-season receiving yardage record for a tight end, currently held by Kelce at 1,416 yards. According to ESPN analyst Seth Walder, Bowers has the potential to surpass it, if not this year then in the near future. His rookie total already placed him just over 200 yards shy, and with an expanded passing role, the gap could close quickly.

The Raiders' offensive strategy appears set to favour the air attack even more in 2025. While many teams rely on tight ends as secondary options, Las Vegas used Bowers like a primary wide receiver. That approach, combined with his durability and route-running instincts, gives him the type of consistent production needed to chase records.

Looking ahead

Former Raiders general manager Tom Telesco, who drafted Bowers 13th overall in 2024, said the decision was about adding top-tier talent to the roster. Even after Telesco's departure, the impact of that pick is clear, since Bowers has become the focal point of the offence.

With Smith delivering the passes and a more settled offensive system in place, the stage is set for Bowers to push for history. If he can blend the lessons from his off-season mentors with the opportunities ahead, 2025 could see him not just match but also surpass the standards set by the position's greats.

Whether or not the record falls, one fact is certain. Brock Bowers will again be central to the Raiders' attack, and his presence will be felt across the league. For fans, analysts and fantasy managers alike, the question is no longer if he can deliver, but how far he can go.