No tight end has ever won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award since its inception in 1967. However, Brock Bowers may change that in 2024. The No. 13 overall draft pick from Georgia has been outstanding thus far, particularly in the Raiders‘ comeback victory against the Baltimore Ravens. Bowers made several crucial plays in the fourth quarter and finished with nine catches for 98 yards.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bowers was the highest-graded player for the Raiders in Week 2 against the Ravens, with a grade of 83.1. This performance adds to his impressive stats as a rookie tight end, with a total of 16 catches for 156 yards after just two games.
Despite his early success, Bowers is currently priced at 30-1 to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award at FanDuel Sportsbook. However, he is tied for seventh place with some of the best odds among rookies vying for this title.
While other offensive rookies have shown promise through their performances in Week 2, such as Marvin Harrison and Jayden Daniels, Bowers remains a strong contender for this prestigious award. It’s worth noting that initial favorite Caleb Williams has struggled but still has potential to improve.
Although there is still a long way to go in the season, Bowers has already demonstrated his ability to make an impact on games and it’s likely that he will continue to be an integral part of the Raiders’ offense moving forward. In recent years, several tight ends selected in the first round have had successful rookie seasons; however, none have surpassed Kyle Pitts’ record-setting rookie campaign with 68 catches last year. Bowers seems poised to surpass that mark and potentially make history along his journey as an NFL rookie tight end.