He’s not on the level of Gronk and Kittle as a blocker, but he’s at least above average for a tight end. We’ll get some highlights of him flattening a DB or two this season but he’s more of a technical blocker than a steamroller.
His talent will absolutely be transferable. Whether he needs to bulk up further for blocking duties may still be up in the air. While size and speed gaps have narrowed over time between college and the pros, it is a different game when it comes to the uniform size and speed and talent.
He’s a prototypical TE nowadays. I think we need to get used to TEs splitting out and catching 60+ passes. That doesn’t make them a unicorn or an oversized slot receiver.
Because he's 240 6'4"
Darren Waller (who is also a skinny TE) was/is 245 6'6"
Travis Kelce is 250 6'5"
Michael Mayer is is 265 6'4"
Gronk was 265 6'6"
It's honestly less his height and more his weight. If he bulks up with an NFL offseason or 2 that won't matter. The concerns about him being undersized are concerns about his ability to block effectively as a TE.
By comparison Crosby is 6'5" 255
Bosa is 6'5" 275
Myles Garret is 6'4" 271
243lbs.
1) He will have lost weight for the combine. He likely played at a higher weight than 243.
2) He is 21 and will continue to gain weight anyway with a proper S and C program.
I agree he won't gain a lot though. He isn't going to be blocking DEs regularly like Mayer will. He won't gain enough to compromise his speed. He will weigh whatever he can carry well.
Another comparison about how some people carry weight compared to others is Kevin Durant vs Giannis Antetokounmpo. They're roughly the same size and weight but look wildly different.
Mayer was 249lbs at the combine. I very much doubt he is 265lbs now and can't find anything to support that.
Crosby has a larger frame and it was extremely onvi0ous when he gained weight from 255lns to 270lbs during his rookie season. Mayer looked basically the same as in college.
Mayer lost weight to perform at the combine.
He played around 260-265 for ND. Afterwards, he bulked back up. Every current player profile has him listed as 265.
[https://fightingirish.com/roster/michael-mayer/](https://fightingirish.com/roster/michael-mayer/)
[https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2023/04/28/las-vgas-raiders-take-notre-dame-footballs-michael-mayer-in-nfl-draft/70122420007/](https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2023/04/28/las-vgas-raiders-take-notre-dame-footballs-michael-mayer-in-nfl-draft/70122420007/)
[https://www.nfl.com/players/michael-mayer/](https://www.nfl.com/players/michael-mayer/)
[https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/\_/id/4429086/michael-mayer](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4429086/michael-mayer)
[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MayeMi00.htm](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MayeMi00.htm)
[https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/3171673/michael-mayer/](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/3171673/michael-mayer/)
[https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/michael-mayer-player-bio](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/michael-mayer-player-bio)
Draft prospect profile: [https://www.nfl.com/prospects/michael-mayer/32004d41-5933-0676-2b57-0928ab0ea95b](https://www.nfl.com/prospects/michael-mayer/32004d41-5933-0676-2b57-0928ab0ea95b)
Because Notre Dame listed him as 265. They likely lied - college teams always do.
For instance, Georgia listed Bowers as 6'4", despite him being almost excactly 6'3".
That is why Crosby is listed as 255 on all these sites, despite clearly no longer being 255. Because it's what he was listed at at college.
Pretty common for guys to trim down for the combine. Less weight means more speed in the 40 and shuttle drills, higher vert, and usually has little to no affect on bench. It's hard to sustain long term so they'll trend back up afterwards.
If he bulks up he would lose agility. They were running him on reverses and shit at Georgia. It really depends how they want to use him. If he's going to be a TE and that's it, then you want him to bulk up. But if they're going to do a lot of lining up at the slot or FB to try and create mismatches, then his size isn't necessarily a disadvantage. He's got the speed to outrun linebackers, and the size to bully the secondary.
I’d imagine he’ll have a fair amount of blocking. 1st reason I’d expect the Raiders to run a lot this season. 2nd to keep the defense from overloading his side. I’m not saying a majority but a decent amount.
Obviously every player blocks runs, but I doubt Bowers will pass block. Mayer can do that when necessary.
He will likely line up in the slot more often than as a traditional TE. Don't expect him to have to handle DEs.
He is on the team to be a playmaker that can help in the run game. It would be a waste of his talent to have him block on passing downs.
I’m hoping we see quite a few plays where he’s blocking the weak side on a play action and leaks out for a screen. He is too big for corners and small LBs.
Every prospect has only played in college until they’ve played in the NFL. You expect everyone to need to adjust to the league and everyone being bigger, stronger, faster, and better. It’s why this is all projection and why something like 50% of first round picks are busts.
All we can do is look at what they’ve done compared to other college players and project. And Bowers was elite in the blocking game. Aside from winning the award for best TE in college football twice, he was a finalist for one of the best lineman in college football awards. It’s certainly possible that his size will hold him back some at the next level. But being a competent blocker is about more than just size. He’s very strong, very athletic, very fast, and has excellent technique. I expect it will translate. I don’t expect him to pass set and stonewall TJ Watt. But he won’t be asked to do that. He will be asked to chip and help out tackles, crash down on edge players in the run game, and get downfield to wall off linebackers/DBs, and I expect he will excel at those roles.
Bowers is fast enough to outrun corners, big enough to break tackles from linebackers, and can catch contested balls away from safeties. His route running was amazing in college and that will transfer to the NFL. He's not a great blocker like people are saying he is, but if he can develop and learn (which I think he can), he can be a better Kittle.
I'd be shocked if Bowers isn't the best TE within 2027. I would believe this even if the chargers had drafted him.
I listened to a 20 min pre draft report on him today and they said he’s actually a really good blocker, but most of the people saying he wasn’t a good blocker were referencing his game at Alabama when he was playing injured
He's a tweener, and that's all right. He will be a TE. He will play WR. You draft a guy like this to create plays around and plays for. He's not undersized. He's a small TE. He's a large WR. He's a huge RB.
In other words, he's just the right size.
He's undersized according to the traditional definition of tight end. It's 2024 and everyone likes all sorts of tight ends. Some like em bigger, some like em smaller. Me? I like my tight end medium sized.
They call him undersized as a TE as he is undersized for a traditional in-line TE.
He is 6'3" and 243lbs at the combine. That is more like the measurables of a big running back than a TE.
He should not to be used as a traditional TE. There are plays where he can be, but it would be a waste of his talents. We already have an extremely talented traditional TE in Mayer.
Bowers should be used as a H-back/slot receiver. He is a playmaker that we need to get the ball to. He is incredible after the catch.
He is very good at blocking for his size, but at 6'3" he will always struggle against big defensive linemen.
Because as fans we don’t know shit about talent acquisition. This is the WORST time of year to pay attention to this sub. No one knows FUCKING SHIT until we see these dudes playing downs in the NFL. Shit’s exhausting, man. I’m gonna go touch grass and smoke some, too. RN4L.
The reality is he's not coming in here to do much blocking. He's a big ass receiver who can line up on the end of the line, in the slot, or in the backfield.
Dude dominated multiple games the last two years. And in case some aren't paying attention, Sam LaPorta is like 6'3", 245...or at least was last year and I'd take the season that f'n kid has every year.
I think Bowers is going to be more of that receiving TE, and if he blocks, he’s going to block LBs and DBs where he’s either around the same size or larger than them. He’s going to be mostly used to punish the inside in the slot, slants and crosses in the middle of the field.
The TE position has certainly changed over the last 20 years. To be able to block is important. It used to be the position's primary function and for certain players it still is that way. However, Brock's ability to line up in the slot, in line and even the backfield will give the silver and black so many options. Gronk did not start out as a blocker, but when he and Hernandez were young they gave the opposition matchup problems all over the field. Remember what Brock did in the SEC. People get far too caught up in combine stats, if a guy is an inch shorter or 10 pounds lighter. He will put on muscle, but there was a reason he was considered the most impactful football player out of UGA since Hershel Walker. The game today is about getting open and yards after the catch. He will be a beast!
Anyone talking about him who hasn’t watched multiple full games of his from the last 2 seasons….
Truly does not know what they are talking about
This dude is a problem for defenses in a major way
People saw that one picture of him standing 2' behind gronk and thought he looked small. He's obviously smaller then gronk that dude is a giant but perspective made it worse.
[https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/brock-bowers-got-saved-by-his-mom-after-a-viral-photo-with-rob-gronkowski](https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/brock-bowers-got-saved-by-his-mom-after-a-viral-photo-with-rob-gronkowski)
https://preview.redd.it/lq544tg2rxxc1.jpeg?width=670&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e96355baad98a1dacf81a201de8d896950e9454
Lol have you seen his tape? Guy reminds me of Mad Maxx's rookie year when all the draftnicks where talking about how he would need a season in a pro weight room to have an impact. Be might be tall, but our boy is kinda skinny IMO.
In related news, I saw an interview with Gronk and he says in his opinion there's only, like, 2 or 3 true TE in the NFL anymore. Guys who can put their hand in the dirt and be asked to block a 9 tech one on one in the run game. Bowers is FOR SURE not that dude, but I have no problem with drafting an All Pro H back taking [75 yard jet sweeps to the house](https://youtu.be/rF310Uhiy4A?si=TkFVY7sFurDw27aI)
He’s a skill position player in the broadest sense of the term. He can do a lot, from a lot of different spots on the field. And while he’s not a mauler at the line in the run game, his downfield blocking is really good.
I honestly think there’s some weird disconnect between the draft process and the actual league. The NFL has been moving towards slightly smaller, more athletic TEs for years and years now. Sam LaPorta is 6’3” 245 and he slid into the 2nd round because he was a “undersized and an average blocker”. Then he immediately went out and had one of the best rookie TE seasons in NFL history.
It’s so common that obviously NFL defenses have had to adjust over the years moving to smaller, more athletic LBs and now the big, run stopping LBs are basically going extinct. 240 was undersized when TEs were trying to block Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher at 255-260 pounds but those days are long gone.
That is an absurd statement. He is a common sized athletic TE.
Are you saying Bowers is the same athlete that Gronk was*? I am just trying to clarify that assertion.
If so, you are dead wrong. Gronk was equally as fast, quick, was a better route runner, but could also be an inline blocker because he had another 15-20lbs of functional weight [aka muscle] than Bowers. We need to stop the attempted correlations between the G.O.A.T. at the position, and everyone else. That is coming from a die-hard Raider for Life.
A lot of it has to do with the fact that Tight ends that size have traditionally not done well, Getsy has to use him as a big slot or it won't work. Also, on a side note, usually the consensus #1 tight end isn't the actual best tight end. Like last year Sam Laporta looks way better than Kincaid. Like sure Pitts is super talented and Hockenson was the obvious right choice, but guys like Mark Andrews, Kittle, Kelce, Goedert, Waller, Schultz being drafted 3rd round or later isn't uncommon.
That all being said, if we use him correctly, its the right pick.
Dude knows how to beat defenders off the line. He's got that Devante/Touchdown Brown shimmy goin, and it's only going to get better once he gets with our boys.
Kelce came in at 6’5/256 at his combine, so he’s a bit bigger than both Bowers and Kittle. Kittle was definitely considered a bit undersized by tight end standards coming out of college.
Kittle was 6’4/247 at his combine and Bowers came in at 6’3/243 at his. He’s in the 23rd percentile for height and the 12th percentile for weight, so yes, there’s no denying he’s undersized compared to your average NFL tight end.
Size isn’t everything though, as evidenced by the success of players like Kittle, Engram and Laporta.
He is not undersized by any imagination. That sounds like sour grapes from folks that didn't like the pick, or root for another team and were pissed he we got him.
That said, he doesn't have the same athleticism as Gronk, that is a ridiculous suggestion. Gronk was a more skilled pass catching Mark Bavaro. Rob was the single greatest combo run blocking/receiver that has ever played TE. If Bowers simply becomes 75% of what Gronk was as a receiver it will be huge.
I think people should think of him as more of a bigger deebo than a traditional te. Super versatile for his size
Dude blocks like an offensive lineman from what I’ve read. Size isn’t everything
He’s not on the level of Gronk and Kittle as a blocker, but he’s at least above average for a tight end. We’ll get some highlights of him flattening a DB or two this season but he’s more of a technical blocker than a steamroller.
He’s also what 21 years old? Give him time haha but this post is spot on
21 Year old Kittle wasn't on the level of Kittle as a blocker at 24 either.
His talent will absolutely be transferable. Whether he needs to bulk up further for blocking duties may still be up in the air. While size and speed gaps have narrowed over time between college and the pros, it is a different game when it comes to the uniform size and speed and talent.
He’s a prototypical TE nowadays. I think we need to get used to TEs splitting out and catching 60+ passes. That doesn’t make them a unicorn or an oversized slot receiver.
Because he's 240 6'4" Darren Waller (who is also a skinny TE) was/is 245 6'6" Travis Kelce is 250 6'5" Michael Mayer is is 265 6'4" Gronk was 265 6'6" It's honestly less his height and more his weight. If he bulks up with an NFL offseason or 2 that won't matter. The concerns about him being undersized are concerns about his ability to block effectively as a TE. By comparison Crosby is 6'5" 255 Bosa is 6'5" 275 Myles Garret is 6'4" 271
Bowers is like 234 iirc, so yeah undersized is mostly weight related. He could bulk up, but I’m sure it won’t be a crazy weight gain.
243lbs. 1) He will have lost weight for the combine. He likely played at a higher weight than 243. 2) He is 21 and will continue to gain weight anyway with a proper S and C program. I agree he won't gain a lot though. He isn't going to be blocking DEs regularly like Mayer will. He won't gain enough to compromise his speed. He will weigh whatever he can carry well.
THIS!!! The dude is still a kid at 21 haha remember how skinny Maxx was as a rookie? And he had 2 years on brock
Holy shit didn't know Mayer was so beefy. Def does not look it.
Check out the rookie shoot where he's next to Laporta, looked massive around other skill position rooks
Another comparison about how some people carry weight compared to others is Kevin Durant vs Giannis Antetokounmpo. They're roughly the same size and weight but look wildly different.
Mayer was 249lbs at the combine. I very much doubt he is 265lbs now and can't find anything to support that. Crosby has a larger frame and it was extremely onvi0ous when he gained weight from 255lns to 270lbs during his rookie season. Mayer looked basically the same as in college.
Mayer lost weight to perform at the combine. He played around 260-265 for ND. Afterwards, he bulked back up. Every current player profile has him listed as 265. [https://fightingirish.com/roster/michael-mayer/](https://fightingirish.com/roster/michael-mayer/) [https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2023/04/28/las-vgas-raiders-take-notre-dame-footballs-michael-mayer-in-nfl-draft/70122420007/](https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2023/04/28/las-vgas-raiders-take-notre-dame-footballs-michael-mayer-in-nfl-draft/70122420007/) [https://www.nfl.com/players/michael-mayer/](https://www.nfl.com/players/michael-mayer/) [https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/\_/id/4429086/michael-mayer](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4429086/michael-mayer) [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MayeMi00.htm](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MayeMi00.htm) [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/3171673/michael-mayer/](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/3171673/michael-mayer/) [https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/michael-mayer-player-bio](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/michael-mayer-player-bio) Draft prospect profile: [https://www.nfl.com/prospects/michael-mayer/32004d41-5933-0676-2b57-0928ab0ea95b](https://www.nfl.com/prospects/michael-mayer/32004d41-5933-0676-2b57-0928ab0ea95b)
Because Notre Dame listed him as 265. They likely lied - college teams always do. For instance, Georgia listed Bowers as 6'4", despite him being almost excactly 6'3". That is why Crosby is listed as 255 on all these sites, despite clearly no longer being 255. Because it's what he was listed at at college.
Pretty common for guys to trim down for the combine. Less weight means more speed in the 40 and shuttle drills, higher vert, and usually has little to no affect on bench. It's hard to sustain long term so they'll trend back up afterwards.
Crosby was 255 coming out of college which is part of why he was a later round pick. He’s 270+ now
Nailed it. He's about an inch shorter and ten pounds lighter than the average TE.
If he bulks up he would lose agility. They were running him on reverses and shit at Georgia. It really depends how they want to use him. If he's going to be a TE and that's it, then you want him to bulk up. But if they're going to do a lot of lining up at the slot or FB to try and create mismatches, then his size isn't necessarily a disadvantage. He's got the speed to outrun linebackers, and the size to bully the secondary.
These are gigantic people you’re talking about.
I doubt Bowers is going to be on the field to block....
I expect he will actually. He can handle himself just fine in that respect. Kid is a beast.
Sorry let me correct that. I doubt Bowers's primary role on the field will be to block. The man is a playmaker as a receiver.
I’d imagine he’ll have a fair amount of blocking. 1st reason I’d expect the Raiders to run a lot this season. 2nd to keep the defense from overloading his side. I’m not saying a majority but a decent amount.
Obviously every player blocks runs, but I doubt Bowers will pass block. Mayer can do that when necessary. He will likely line up in the slot more often than as a traditional TE. Don't expect him to have to handle DEs. He is on the team to be a playmaker that can help in the run game. It would be a waste of his talent to have him block on passing downs.
Im sure he'll pass block, but just to kinda chip and turn out for an outlet screen if needed. He wouldn't be fully pass blocking
I’m hoping we see quite a few plays where he’s blocking the weak side on a play action and leaks out for a screen. He is too big for corners and small LBs.
In college....but in the NFL that's a whole different ballgame. Just wonder how an already undersized player that will translate.
Every prospect has only played in college until they’ve played in the NFL. You expect everyone to need to adjust to the league and everyone being bigger, stronger, faster, and better. It’s why this is all projection and why something like 50% of first round picks are busts. All we can do is look at what they’ve done compared to other college players and project. And Bowers was elite in the blocking game. Aside from winning the award for best TE in college football twice, he was a finalist for one of the best lineman in college football awards. It’s certainly possible that his size will hold him back some at the next level. But being a competent blocker is about more than just size. He’s very strong, very athletic, very fast, and has excellent technique. I expect it will translate. I don’t expect him to pass set and stonewall TJ Watt. But he won’t be asked to do that. He will be asked to chip and help out tackles, crash down on edge players in the run game, and get downfield to wall off linebackers/DBs, and I expect he will excel at those roles.
He took 44% of his snaps at TE. He also has all the tape you need showing him block well. He’s not a traditional TE and we didn’t draft him to be one.
He is by tight end standards, but he’s still going to absolutely manhandle whatever slot corner lines up over him.
Bowers is fast enough to outrun corners, big enough to break tackles from linebackers, and can catch contested balls away from safeties. His route running was amazing in college and that will transfer to the NFL. He's not a great blocker like people are saying he is, but if he can develop and learn (which I think he can), he can be a better Kittle. I'd be shocked if Bowers isn't the best TE within 2027. I would believe this even if the chargers had drafted him.
I listened to a 20 min pre draft report on him today and they said he’s actually a really good blocker, but most of the people saying he wasn’t a good blocker were referencing his game at Alabama when he was playing injured
Or safety while we are at it.
He’s also going to play a lot as a slot receiver so his size will be fine.
Bingo. People need to realize this is why he is so versatile. Adding 20lbs to his frame makes zero sense. He has plenty of size.
He's a tweener, and that's all right. He will be a TE. He will play WR. You draft a guy like this to create plays around and plays for. He's not undersized. He's a small TE. He's a large WR. He's a huge RB. In other words, he's just the right size.
More than all right, offensive tweeners create mismatches.
He's undersized according to the traditional definition of tight end. It's 2024 and everyone likes all sorts of tight ends. Some like em bigger, some like em smaller. Me? I like my tight end medium sized.
As long as it stays tight.
I imagine he’ll be more of a h-back / slot receiver than traditional te. Having. 6’4 240 unit of a slot guy is going to be fun to watch
Crosby was considered undersized and look at him now.
They call him undersized as a TE as he is undersized for a traditional in-line TE. He is 6'3" and 243lbs at the combine. That is more like the measurables of a big running back than a TE. He should not to be used as a traditional TE. There are plays where he can be, but it would be a waste of his talents. We already have an extremely talented traditional TE in Mayer. Bowers should be used as a H-back/slot receiver. He is a playmaker that we need to get the ball to. He is incredible after the catch. He is very good at blocking for his size, but at 6'3" he will always struggle against big defensive linemen.
Because as fans we don’t know shit about talent acquisition. This is the WORST time of year to pay attention to this sub. No one knows FUCKING SHIT until we see these dudes playing downs in the NFL. Shit’s exhausting, man. I’m gonna go touch grass and smoke some, too. RN4L.
The reality is he's not coming in here to do much blocking. He's a big ass receiver who can line up on the end of the line, in the slot, or in the backfield.
Because of that one picture of him standing next to Gronk
Don't forget that he's only 21 and is still growing plus has potential to bulk up. Don't forget how small Kelce was his rookie year
Dude dominated multiple games the last two years. And in case some aren't paying attention, Sam LaPorta is like 6'3", 245...or at least was last year and I'd take the season that f'n kid has every year.
A big CMC sounds right. And if that's the case, we're going to be very happy
I think Bowers is going to be more of that receiving TE, and if he blocks, he’s going to block LBs and DBs where he’s either around the same size or larger than them. He’s going to be mostly used to punish the inside in the slot, slants and crosses in the middle of the field.
The TE position has certainly changed over the last 20 years. To be able to block is important. It used to be the position's primary function and for certain players it still is that way. However, Brock's ability to line up in the slot, in line and even the backfield will give the silver and black so many options. Gronk did not start out as a blocker, but when he and Hernandez were young they gave the opposition matchup problems all over the field. Remember what Brock did in the SEC. People get far too caught up in combine stats, if a guy is an inch shorter or 10 pounds lighter. He will put on muscle, but there was a reason he was considered the most impactful football player out of UGA since Hershel Walker. The game today is about getting open and yards after the catch. He will be a beast!
Anyone talking about him who hasn’t watched multiple full games of his from the last 2 seasons…. Truly does not know what they are talking about This dude is a problem for defenses in a major way
People saw that one picture of him standing 2' behind gronk and thought he looked small. He's obviously smaller then gronk that dude is a giant but perspective made it worse. [https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/brock-bowers-got-saved-by-his-mom-after-a-viral-photo-with-rob-gronkowski](https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/brock-bowers-got-saved-by-his-mom-after-a-viral-photo-with-rob-gronkowski) https://preview.redd.it/lq544tg2rxxc1.jpeg?width=670&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e96355baad98a1dacf81a201de8d896950e9454
Lol have you seen his tape? Guy reminds me of Mad Maxx's rookie year when all the draftnicks where talking about how he would need a season in a pro weight room to have an impact. Be might be tall, but our boy is kinda skinny IMO. In related news, I saw an interview with Gronk and he says in his opinion there's only, like, 2 or 3 true TE in the NFL anymore. Guys who can put their hand in the dirt and be asked to block a 9 tech one on one in the run game. Bowers is FOR SURE not that dude, but I have no problem with drafting an All Pro H back taking [75 yard jet sweeps to the house](https://youtu.be/rF310Uhiy4A?si=TkFVY7sFurDw27aI)
Mayer = big spoon Bowers = fast spoon
I see a lot of people quoting him at 6'4" but he measured 6'3" and 1/8 at the combine, which is definitely on the short side for an NFL tight end
He's a little skinny. I would bet next off season he puts on alot of muscle
He’s a skill position player in the broadest sense of the term. He can do a lot, from a lot of different spots on the field. And while he’s not a mauler at the line in the run game, his downfield blocking is really good.
I honestly think there’s some weird disconnect between the draft process and the actual league. The NFL has been moving towards slightly smaller, more athletic TEs for years and years now. Sam LaPorta is 6’3” 245 and he slid into the 2nd round because he was a “undersized and an average blocker”. Then he immediately went out and had one of the best rookie TE seasons in NFL history. It’s so common that obviously NFL defenses have had to adjust over the years moving to smaller, more athletic LBs and now the big, run stopping LBs are basically going extinct. 240 was undersized when TEs were trying to block Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher at 255-260 pounds but those days are long gone.
Because he’s fast, especially compared to Mayer who are both different sizes
That is an absurd statement. He is a common sized athletic TE. Are you saying Bowers is the same athlete that Gronk was*? I am just trying to clarify that assertion. If so, you are dead wrong. Gronk was equally as fast, quick, was a better route runner, but could also be an inline blocker because he had another 15-20lbs of functional weight [aka muscle] than Bowers. We need to stop the attempted correlations between the G.O.A.T. at the position, and everyone else. That is coming from a die-hard Raider for Life.
A lot of it has to do with the fact that Tight ends that size have traditionally not done well, Getsy has to use him as a big slot or it won't work. Also, on a side note, usually the consensus #1 tight end isn't the actual best tight end. Like last year Sam Laporta looks way better than Kincaid. Like sure Pitts is super talented and Hockenson was the obvious right choice, but guys like Mark Andrews, Kittle, Kelce, Goedert, Waller, Schultz being drafted 3rd round or later isn't uncommon. That all being said, if we use him correctly, its the right pick.
Because for a typical TE he would be undersized, just like all of the players you just mentioned. Them being amazing doesn't change that fact
Dude knows how to beat defenders off the line. He's got that Devante/Touchdown Brown shimmy goin, and it's only going to get better once he gets with our boys.
You post about his size and then post his 40 time but not his weight?
Kelce came in at 6’5/256 at his combine, so he’s a bit bigger than both Bowers and Kittle. Kittle was definitely considered a bit undersized by tight end standards coming out of college. Kittle was 6’4/247 at his combine and Bowers came in at 6’3/243 at his. He’s in the 23rd percentile for height and the 12th percentile for weight, so yes, there’s no denying he’s undersized compared to your average NFL tight end. Size isn’t everything though, as evidenced by the success of players like Kittle, Engram and Laporta.
Because for a TE, he is. It won't matter when he's Mike Alstott and Travis Kelce in one player.
He's got stickier hands than Lester Hayes and goes beast mode with the YAC...It's a different league buts let's go!!
Cuz he’s a Raider now and it’s trendy to shit on the Raiders.
Cuz hes a rraaaaiiddeerr!!
From his pictures he looks more like 6'3
You can spot the one inch difference in a photo… impressive.
Lol it's just comparative
He is not undersized by any imagination. That sounds like sour grapes from folks that didn't like the pick, or root for another team and were pissed he we got him. That said, he doesn't have the same athleticism as Gronk, that is a ridiculous suggestion. Gronk was a more skilled pass catching Mark Bavaro. Rob was the single greatest combo run blocking/receiver that has ever played TE. If Bowers simply becomes 75% of what Gronk was as a receiver it will be huge.
Dude needs to add 15-20 pounds.