New Las Vegas Raiders GM and head coach Antonio Pierce found themselves in a unique position when their turn was up with the 13th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Raiders’ previous regime drafted TE Michael Mayer in the 2nd round in 2023. The Notre Dame TE was coming off a junior season that saw him as PFF’s TE2 in pre-season and finish as PFF’s TE1. The following year, Georgia’s Brock Bowers was the consensus TE1 of the class who some called the best offensive player in the 2024 Draft and would have measured out as WR4 statistically, if he wasn’t a tight end. When the Raiders’ pick came around, they were looking at the name “Brock Bowers” at the top of their draft board, but they already had “Top TE” at home.

The surprise of Bowers’ eligibility wasn’t the BIGGEST surprise of the draft. That was the Falcons’ pick, but the Raiders stunned most observers when they added another gold-star prospect at the position. Enter new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Getsy’s Chicago Bears used 2+ TE sets more than 24 other teams, ranking 8th in 2 TE usage. In the Raiders’ training camp sessions, the team is “usually lining up in heavy (2 TE) sets, and they all seem to be making catches”. Getsy has two of the best TE’s to have played college football in the last 5 years and the results are showing on the practice field.

The major advantage that Getsy will have in his schemes to exploit matchups is Bowers. Bowers is hyper-athletic, strong, and fast. He is a violent blocker and makes up for what he lacks in technique with ill intent. Lining up split out, Bowers will be a nightmare to cover for the linebackers he’s faster than, and the CB’s he’ll outmuscle. Michael Mayer is no slouch himself. Mayer averaged 11.75 FPG as a rookie, in games he received 5 or more targets. Over 17 games, that would have placed him at TE7 in PPR leagues. Additionally, the Raiders have a veteran presence in 5-year man Harrison Bryant as a “break-glass”option, or to line up in 13 personnel packages. Bowers is Player Profiler’s 11th ranked TE, without stepping on the field, yet, and is a high-upside play as an 8th rounder on Underdog. Mayer is TE31 and is going undrafted. Both could be viable options based on upside and scheme fit.