With the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders have selected Georgia TE Brock Bowers. It’s one of the more surprising picks in the draft, especially with the Raiders trading up for Michael Mayer in the 2023 NFL Draft.
#Raiders are taking Brock Bowers pic.twitter.com/wGq1WpWEzx
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 26, 2024
There was an early run on quarterback with six QBs being drafted in the first 12 picks. Michael Penix Jr. was the most mocked player to the Raiders on Thursday but was off the board to the Falcons at No. 8. J.J. McCarthy was selected by the Vikings at No. 10 (after a small trade-up), which led the Raiders to go in a different direction.
Bowers was the top tight end in the country over the last three seasons, racking up over 2,500 receiving yards. It’ll be fascinating to see how he and Mayer play together moving forward.
The Raiders are likely to move forward with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell at QB this season, but could be in the market again in 2025. Look for the Raiders to add to their offensive line and defense on Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft.
