Tight End · Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.
The case
- · In the early draft season, Bowers is treated as more of an edge at tight end than Trey McBride despite coming off a disappointing injury year.
- · The Raiders have below-par wide receiver options, painting a high-floor target season for the talented tight end.
- · Las Vegas upgraded their quarterback options in the offseason, highlighted by drafting National Champion Fernando Mendoza with the first overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- · Bowers scored 24.5% of his PPR fantasy points in one game (12/133/3).
- · He averaged 14.71 PPR fantasy points over 12 games (12.11 in 11 starts outside his one impact game).
- · A knee injury in Week 1 (5/103 on eight targets) derailed his season.
- · The Raiders scored a league-low 241 points in 2025, compared to 355 by the Arizona Cardinals. Which team added more offensive firepower in the offseason?
Question marks
- · Geno Smith was a bust at quarterback last year. At a minimum, Kirk Cousins should be a significant upgrade. Can Fernando Mendoza hit the ground running, and does he have enough receiving weapons to push the Raiders up the offensive rankings?
- · Does Bowers get an injury risk ding for missing five games last year?
Shawn's conclusion
Bowers checks the opportunity box in a big way in 2026 based on the wide receiver structure of Las Vegas. He draws WR1 target status at the tight end position in an offense that wants to run the ball better and play better defense. I support his number one tight end rating this summer, but that isn’t a knock on Trey McBride. In his rookie year, Bowers had eight catches or more in seven of his 17 starts, highlighted by four high-catch games (10/93, 13/126/1, 10/140/1, and 11/99).
More on Bowers
Bowers was a standout at Georgia across three seasons, catching 170 of 233 targets (73.0%) for 2,417 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also contributing as a runner with 18 carries for 188 yards and four scores. He hit the ground running as a true freshman with 56 catches for 938 yards and 14 touchdowns, a remarkable debut that set the tone for his college career.
A month-long absence due to an ankle injury slowed his 2023 campaign, but he was dominant in a three-game stretch (9/121/2, 8/160/1, and 7/132/1) from late September into early October. He led Georgia in receptions all three years, underscoring his consistency as a target hog.
Bowers carried that same reliability into the NFL, immediately establishing himself as the Raiders' primary receiving option as a rookie. His route running, spatial awareness, and feel for finding soft spots in coverage translated seamlessly, drawing a heavy target share that included seven double-digit target games.
He was especially dangerous on the road, hauling in 71 catches for 783 yards and four touchdowns on 93 targets away from home. On the season, Bowers caught 112 of 153 targets for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, good for 263.10 PPR fantasy points and the top spot among all tight ends. He delivered two signature performances of 13/123/1 and 10/142/1, with two additional near-impact outings of 8/97/1 and 11/99.
Last season, Bowers shined in Week 1 (5/103 on eight targets), but a knee issue slowed him down over his next three starts (5/38, 4/38, and 5/46), followed by three missed contests. He dominated in his first game back (12/133/3 on 13 targets). After a dull showing (1/31), Bowers fell more into a steady category over his last six games (32/297/4 on 43 targets) while gaining only 9.3 yards per catch (10.7 in 2024). Las Vegas shut him down in Week 17 due to lingering affects with his knee issue.
Get Shawn's full 2026 Draft Kit — free
Every breakdown like this one, plus his tiers, the top-200 cheat sheet, and how his 2025 season actually graded out. One email, instant download.