Bowers is the consensus No. 1 fantasy tight end, following a record-setting rookie season in which he had the most receptions by a rookie in NFL history (112) and set a rookie-TE record with 1,194 receiving yards. Both of those totals ranked first among 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 should have better QB play after trading for Geno Smith, who lacks proven pass catchers besides Bowers and WR Jakobi Meyers. Bowers has a realistic shot to approach last year's volume, and he can take his production up another notch if the offense improves in general and provides more TD opportunities. The upgrade under center may help Bowers become the exception to the trend of sophomore slumps among exceptional rookies at his position - the previous six TEs with 800-plus yards as rookies all saw their yardage total decline by at least 158 the following season, and Kyle Pitts (one TD in 2021 to two in 2022) was the only member of that group to increase his touchdown total.
