Brock 

Bowers

Bowers is the most accomplished tight end of the PFF college era. He was excellent by situation and by route, with no clear weakness from a production standpoint. To nitpick, he is on the smaller side for a tight end at 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, but plenty of fantasy starters — including Sam LaPorta, Evan Engram, Trey McBride and Dalton Kincaid — are a similar size. PFF's 2024 Draft Guide noted he was “a little stiff when it comes to cuts in his routes” and he has “build up speed rather than twitched explosiveness.”

The biggest concern for Bowers is Michael Mayer. The Raiders drafted Mayer with the 35th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Bowers is a capable blocker, but Mayer is a more well-rounded tight end. Last season, Mayer played the majority of offensive snaps outside of some third downs. Bowers was drafted to be the primary receiving tight end, so he will have much more fantasy value than Mayer. The question is how much playing time Mayer will see outside of two-tight end sets. Even if Mayer plays in two-tight end sets and on the majority of third downs but keeps the majority of early-down snaps in single-tight end sets, it could have a devastating impact on Bowers’ fantasy potential.

The most talented tight ends typically become the best options for fantasy football, and Bowers should be one of the most talented tight ends in the NFL immediately. His situation is worse than most, with Michael Mayer potentially taking away snaps and routes from him, which will limit his upside.