Bowers is the consensus No. 1 fantasy tight end, following a debut campaign with the most receptions by a rookie in NFL history (112) and a rookie-TE record of 1,194 receiving yards. Both totals led NFL tight ends in 2024, as did Bowers' 153 targets. That production came despite the 4-13 Raiders having some of the worst QB play in the NFL from a combination of Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell and Desmond Ridder. Vegas will have better QB play after trading for Geno Smith, who lacks proven pass catchers beyond Bowers and WR Jakobi Meyers. Bowers may nonetheless have a hard time matching last year's target volume after the Raiders hired running-game aficionado Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator. Still, there's potential for more touchdowns and big plays if the offense improves. The upgrade at quarterback may help Bowers break the trend of sophomore slumps among exceptional rookie tight ends- the previous six TEs with 800+ yards as rookies all saw their yardage totals decline by at least 158 yards the following season.
