Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is likely headed for an enormous target share in 2026. Injuries and subpar quarterback play limited Bowers to just 64 catches, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns last year. However, he had 112 catches on 153 targets as a rookie in 2024, and he's looking to get back to that level of volume this year. The good news is that he's fully healthy and got a quarterback upgrade this offseason, as the Raiders moved on from Geno Smith. Kirk Cousins will lead the offense for now, and we know that he's capable of elevating his tight ends to the next level. After Cousins took over the Falcons' offense last year, tight end Kyle Pitts averaged 8.0 targets, 0.6 touchdowns, and 16.3 fantasy points per game. That should be Bowers' floor, and his ceiling is significantly higher. There's a legitimate chance that Bowers will finish as the overall TE1 this year if he stays healthy for all 17 games. For now, he has an ADP of 19.8, which corresponds to the second round of fantasy drafts and makes him the first tight end off the board
Bowers will open the 2026 season working with Kirk Cousins as his quarterback after the veteran was named the Week 1 starter Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports. The star tight end is looking to return to the caliber of production he managed during an outstanding 2024 rookie campaign, one where he recorded a 112-1,194-5 line across 17 regular-season games. Bowers endured a lingering knee injury last season that ultimately limited him to 12 games, but the combination of his return to full health and a savvy veteran familiar with head coach Klint Kubiak's system in Cousins sets the stage for a potentially productive start to the 2026 season
After battling a knee injury last season, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is reportedly healthy and performing well in training camp. He has connected with quarterback Kirk Cousins for multiple touchdowns in practices and is being highly ranked by RotoBaller as the TE1
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to name veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins their Week 1 starter. Even though Cousins was slated to take the starting job back at the beginning of training camp, newly appointed head coach Klint Kubiak has kept the door open for a competition. However, the veteran earned the starting gig over first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell. Cousins has been sharp in the preseason, going 5-for-6 in the opener and 8-for-11 in their preseason finale this past Thursday evening. Last season, Cousins appeared in 10 games for the Falcons and averaged 205.5 passing yards per game with a 10:5 TD:INT in the eight games in which he logged more than 50 offensive snaps. Given that the Raiders lack many proven options in the passing game outside of star tight end Brock Bowers, the 38-year-old carries low-end QB3 appeal in their Week 1 opener against the Miami Dolphins
Bowers secured one of two targets for six yards in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday. The talented tight end logged only one snap in the preseason opener against the Cardinals on Aug. 13 and then was inactive for last Thursday's game against the Texans, so Bowers' catch goes down as his first and only stat from preseason. After an injury-impacted 2025, Bowers is back to full health and will serve as the top target for veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins to open the 2026 season. Bowers next takes the field in a Week 1 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor played only eight snaps in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night, coming off the field with the rest of the starters after a successful scoring drive led by quarterback Kirk Cousins. Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million deal in free agency, and while there has been little doubt about how the team views him as part of the offense, his usage on Thursday all but cemented his status as a top receiver along with Tre Tucker. A sixth-round pick of the Vikings in 2022, Nailor spent the past two seasons as Minnesota's WR3 behind Jordan Addison and four-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. While he's never reached 450 receiving yards in a season, he posted an impressive 15.3 yards per reception in 2025, and he should find production as a perimeter player in Klint Kubiak's play-action-heavy system. The presence of All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers will help to create spacing on the outside, but will also cap Nailor's target share, and consistency could be an issue in 2026, particularly with the expectation of a quarterback change at some point in the season. That said, Nailor has the potential to bring spike weeks to the flex spot and is practically free in drafts as RotoBaller's WR64
Bowers started Thursday's preseason opener against Arizona and came out of the game after one snap. The Raiders' other starters, including QB Kirk Cousins and RB Ashton Jeanty, continued to play throughout the opening drive. Not that this needed reinforcement, but the early exit is yet another sign of Bowers' massive importance to the Las Vegas offense. We may not see him again until Week 1 against Miami
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers wasn't on the field for long in Thursday night's preseason-opening loss to the visiting Arizona Cardinals, as he played just one offensive snap before coming out of the game. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Ashton Jeanty stayed in a bit longer with the starting offense, but the Raiders weren't going to take any chances with their star TE. The 23-year-old former 13th overall pick from the University of Georgia battled a knee injury last year and finished with only 64 receptions for 680 yards in 12 games, but he still managed to post a career-high seven touchdown receptions on 86 targets. It was a step back after his 112-1,194-5 line in 17 games as a rookie in 2024. With an improved QB situation with Cousins/rookie Fernando Mendoza in new head coach Klint Kubiak's offense, the sky is the limit for Bowers, which is why he's the consensus top fantasy football TE in most formats going into Year 3. Despite missing five games due to injury last year, Bowers still managed to finish as the TE10 in half-PPR scoring
The biggest knock against Carson Beck at Georgia was that he was little more than a glorified game manager. He was surrounded by future NFL stars, and while the first-overall buzz followed him, skeptics wondered how much of the offense he was actually driving. Those questions grew louder in 2024 after names like Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey left for the NFL and Beck's play became far more uneven. An elbow injury just before halftime of the SEC Championship Game was the abrupt, inglorious end to his Bulldogs career. And instead of declaring for the draft, Beck transferred to Miami, where he took inventory of where he'd been and what he learned, and rediscovered himself in Coral Gables. Oftentimes, it's the hard lessons that prompt the change you may not have known you needed. And for Beck, who admitted as much when we talked to him at his Pro Day back in March, he's a much better player today than he was at any point during his time at Georgia. QB Carson Beck on his growth from Georgia to Miami. 🎙️: @ryanwilsonCBS pic.twitter.com/DU3WYbgX0c And on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game, we saw glimpses of what that could look like in the NFL. He's currently third on the depth chart behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, but in a perfect world, Beck would be the 2026 version of Tyler Shough: a Day 2 pick who played a ton of college ball, can run an offense efficiently, and can step into the starting job as a rookie and more than hold his own. Beck has never been the quarterback who overwhelms you with highlight throws. He wins by staying on schedule . At Georgia, his 38.6% first-down rate ranked in the 95th percentile among draft-eligible quarterbacks from 2015-26, and he got the ball out quicker than anyone in this rookie class. That's also why Arizona made so much sense as a landing spot: Mike LaFleur's offense asks quarterbacks to process quickly, distribute accurately and let the system work for them -- exactly how Beck played his best football in college. And Beck certainly passed every test you could throw at a rookie making his first-ever start, even if it was the Hall of Fame game. My co-host on the "With the First Pick" podcast, former Titans GM Ran Carthon, has seen a lot in his nearly two decades in NFL front offices; he drafted Will Levis, was in San Francisco with Trey Lance and Brock Purdy, and St. Louis with Jared Goff. Earlier this week, I asked him what he wanted to see from Beck in his preseason debut : "First, I want to see how efficiently he operates. Can he get in and out of the huddle, get everyone lined up and handle the motions, shifts and adjustments without things speeding up on him? … "Then I want to see how he handles the bright lights. I know it's just the Hall of Fame Game, but this is his first professional football action. Is it going to be too much for him? … "My advice would be simple: it's just football. Don't make it any more than that. You don't have to be the hero. Be 1-of-11. Play point guard, get the ball to the guys who can make plays, and just play football." Beck not only took Ran's advice – he ran with it. And yes, I'll say it again: IT'S JUST ONE PRESEASON GAME. But you'd much rather see it unfold like this than see him throw an interception, take a couple of sacks, and look indecisive before and after the snap. Instead, Beck, whose big-time-throw rate hovered around 3% in college (by comparison, Justin Herbert's big-time-throw rate was 9.2% in 2017 at Oregon), was slinging it early on Thursday night: What a throw by Carson Beck! @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ai2A4lm7z0 And this: Carson Beck to Jalen Brooks. WOW. @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/VjnMEP2mIQ There's more: . @carsonbeck01 drops it in a bucket 🪣 @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/fZQpMPha1q By the time it was over, Beck finished 12 of 15 for 157 yards, a touchdown and no turnover
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor has emerged as one of the team's most consistent pass-catchers early in training camp, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Nailor won all three of his one-on-one reps during Monday's first padded practice, then connected with Kirk Cousins on a long post route during team drills. He also made two red-zone catches from Cousins on Friday, continuing a connection the pair developed during their two seasons together in Minnesota. Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million contract with Las Vegas after posting career highs of 29 receptions and 444 yards with four touchdowns in 2025. The Raiders have moved him between the slot and outside, and the Sun currently views Nailor and Tre Tucker as the clear top two receivers. Brock Bowers remains the offense's premier target, but Nailor is building a strong case for a meaningful role. His contract, versatility, and early chemistry with Cousins put him on the late-round radar in deeper fantasy drafts
After an injury-hampered 2025 campaign, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers has appeared healthy through the opening days of training camp, with The Athletic's Sam Warren calling him the star of camp, while pointing out that he has made "at least one big play in each practice, and seemingly in every team period." Warren also notes, "He's had his way with every defender he's gone up against." Bowers broke the rookie reception record with 112 catches in 2024, and he recorded 103 yards in the opening game of his second season, but a knee injury sustained in that contest slowed him for much of the year and kept him in and out of the lineup. Now, seemingly ready to dominate again, Bowers is RotoBaller's TE1 and offers a rare positional advantage that makes him worth spending up for in 2026 drafts
It happens to the best of us. You’re cruising through your dynasty startup, and suddenly the players you had queued up are gone. Now, you’re stuck staring at several guys who all carry a similar value. Who will you go with, having no room for error? These are always tough decisions. You don’t want to make a bad choice; one pick can shape the direction of your roster for years. I’m going to break down a few ADP dilemmas early in dynasty drafts amongst quarterbacks and running backs, to give you my thought process on which player I’m taking while they’re all staring me in the face. Maybe the process will work for you, too. Alright, so you made it through the first two rounds of your dynasty startup. Maybe you nabbed a superstar receiver and paired him with an elite running back. Or perhaps you decided to spend up at a one-sie position and took Brock Bowers or Trey McBride . In Round 3 of superflex drafts, you’ll likely have three young signal-callers sitting on the board. That makes for a tough decision. Whether you have a quarterback or not up to this point, each member of this trio can provide long-term QB1 production for your dynasty squad. First up in ADP, last season’s QB6 in fantasy points per game: Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars. Sunshine was awesome in his first season under head coach Liam Coen’s tutelage. He topped 4,000 yards through the air and finished with career highs in passing scores (29) and rushing touchdowns (nine). He managed all that with an abysmal 65.7% catchable pass rate and 38 dropped passes, which led the league. Imagine if he can dial in that accuracy just a bit and his receivers could catch. Going into Year 2 with Coen, Lawrence has a ridiculous group of pass-catchers to work with. Drops aside, it’s a solid and deep group. And with Travis Etienne gone, the team might lean on Lawrence more as they try to make it back to the playoffs. The talent, weapons, and rushing upside are there for Lawrence to have an encore in 2026 and beyond. Bo Nix led the league in pass attempts a season ago. The former Oregon Duck rode that volume to some nifty numbers, throwing for 3,956 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. He also chipped in 356 yards with five additional scores on the ground. Bo Nix ‘s Advanced Metrics That output allowed Nix to average 18.6 fantasy points per game (FPPG), good for 11th at the position. That was only a small step down from his rookie season, when he averaged 19.4 FPPG and finished as the QB8. This could be a banner season for Nix as Denver sets its sights on a Super Bowl. He just got a new, shiny toy in Jaylen Waddle (MIA), and coach Sean Payton is giving up playcalling duties to Davis Webb so they can speed up their pace of play, which ranked 30th last year. All signs point to another QB1 finish for Nix in 2026. Last, but certainly not least, is “Mr. No-Longer-Irrelevant,” Brock Purdy . He only played in nine games because of a turf toe injury, but he balled out when on the field. Purdy finished as the QB5 on a per-game basis, averaging 20.8 fantasy points. One big note: Purdy was first in expected fantasy points per game (20.6) — always a big indicator of an elite player and not simply good luck or unsustainable efficiency. This offseason, the 49ers got him a gift in the form of future Hall of Famer Mike Evans , who will help open up the offense and give Purdy a massive target downfield and in the end zone. A top-flight fantasy season for Purdy is on the table if he and his weapons can stay healthy. I’m going with Purdy out of this group. Since becoming a starter, he’s displayed high-level consistency and upside. Since 2023, only Josh Allen , Lamar Jackson , and Jalen Hurts have averaged more FPPG. That’s some elite company. Brock Purdy ‘s Season Stats Since 2023 Purdy is young; only 26 years old, has a long-term contract, and is tied to one of the best offensive minds in football in Kyle Shanahan. If all three are on the board, I’m taking the man from San Fran. You’re
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After recording 112 receptions and being named a first-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2024, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers battled through an injury-marred sophomore campaign in 2025. The 23-year-old was clearly hampered while playing through a knee injury that he suffered in Week 1 and eventually ended the season on Injured Reserve. However, Bowers is reportedly fully healthy heading into 2026. The Raiders should also have a significantly improved offensive environment in the upcoming year, hiring Klint Kubiak as their new head coach and play-caller and revamping their quarterback room with veteran Kirk Cousins and 2026 number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Bowers profiles as the clear number one option in the Las Vegas passing game and could have a chance to exceed the 153 targets he earned as a rookie. While Bowers' stock may be slightly down following his disappointing 2025 production, he remains an elite fantasy tight end ahead of 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a disappointing 3-14 season that gave them the number one pick in the draft. John Spytek had a chance to change the franchise quickly by grabbing a quarterback and spending money in free agency. Starting with free agency, the Raiders went to work to upgrade the roster. They added talent to a weak offensive line, and Raider Nation feels confident about the linebacker position for the first time in years. Add in the drafting of Fernando Mendoza aand the Silver and Black could have a chance to finally build a contender. ESPN released its annual NFL executive rankings, which showed where the Raiders had upgrades. Of course, Brock Bowers kept the crown as the best tight end in football, and Maxx Crosby was voted as the fourth-best pass rusher. Also, the newcomers were all over the rankings. The Raiders signed Tyler Linderbaum to the biggest contract for a center in NFL history. He was ranked as the eighth-best interior offensive lineman in the NFL. Linebacker Quay Walke r received an honorable mention for his growth as a linebacker who has boosted the position group. These players raised the team’s talent level, and the proof is in the ESPN rankings. Hopefully, the young players on the roster can make a leap, and the team can start to build a football product with a ton of talent
ESPN recently polled NFL coaches and executives to rank the top 10 tight ends going into the 2026 season. Las Vegas Raiders third-year star Brock Bowers was voted as the top player at the position in the league. We ran a FEED post asking our community members if they agree that Bowers is the top tight end in the league after just two NFL seasons are it may be a bit premature. In an overwhelming vote, our readers made it clear Bowers the best tight end in the league in their minds. It’s difficult to argue with that thought. He broke all kinds of record as a rookie and hew as dominant last season despite having a nagging knee injury. I’ve said this before and I’m sure I’ll state often in the future: I truly believe Bowers has a chance to be the best tight end ever to play the game. I don’t say such things lightly, but the kid is a sublime talent, a football robot from heaven if you will. So, go ahead, don’t think Bowers is the best tight end in the league if you wish. You’d just be incorrect, that’s all. You can read the comments on this FEED post here. Sign up for a user account and get: Fewer ads Create community posts Comment on articles, community posts Rec comments, community posts New, improved notifications system!
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