​Las Vegas Raiders star Brock Bowers emerged as one of the premier tight ends in the NFL during his rookie season in 2024, quickly establishing himself as a standout at the position. Although injuries limited his availability in 2025, Bowers remains widely regarded as among the elite tight ends in the league as the new season approaches. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, citing a poll of NFL coaches, executives and scouts, placed Bowers at the very top of the position for the 2026 season. The consensus among those who vote is that Bowers is the premier tight end in football heading into the upcoming year.
Supporters note Bowers’ versatility as a major asset, highlighting his ability to function as a dynamic chess piece within an offense. He can line up in the slot, split wide, or even operate as a fullback when necessary, giving his coaches a wide array of matchup possibilities. His speed is another distinguishing factor; he demonstrated rare explosive capability with a top speed of 19.58 mph on a 57-yard touchdown against Denver in 2024, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, illustrating his breakaway speed and playmaking potential.
Even with a partial season in 2025, Bowers posted impressive numbers, recording 680 receiving yards and seven touchdowns across 12 games. At his current pace, he was on track for approximately 963 receiving yards if he had remained healthy for all 17 games, narrowly missing a second straight 1,000-yard season after surpassing the 1,000-yard mark with 1,194 yards the year before. Beyond gaudy statistics, Bowers continued to demonstrate exceptional ball-tracking ability, making spectacular catches and showcasing the elite-level skill set that defines top-tier tight ends in today’s NFL.
In the voting that determined the top ranking, Bowers ranked ahead of Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, who collected 1,239 receiving yards last season, and San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, who has been widely regarded as one of the era’s best at the position. The poll, which weighed the opinions of coaches, executives, and scouts across the league, reflected a clear perception that Bowers had secured his place as the No. 1 tight end entering the 2026 season.
This recognition aligns with the progression of Bowers’ career in Las Vegas and reinforces the belief that his blend of route-running, athleticism, and versatility makes him a cornerstone of the Raiders’ offense for years to come. As the league looks ahead to the 2026 season, Bowers’ combination of speed, reliability, and the ability to create mismatches across multiple formations positions him as a constant threat to defenses and a high-impact player for Las Vegas.