Brock

Bowers

Denver’s elite secondary focused on taking Bowers away from Gardner Minshew a week after Bowers had 13 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins. Pat Surtain covered Bowers for some of the game, and the Broncos used a considerable amount of bracket coverage against the standout rookie tight end. Bowers and Jakobi Meyers combined for about half of the Raiders’ targets against the Broncos. Bowers will be a top-three fantasy option in Week 13 against the Chiefs. He had five grabs for 58 yards against KC in Week 5.

The Raiders kept things close through two quarters but started taking on water in the second half, forcing them to cut Gardner Minshew loose. For Minshew, that meant peppering Bowers with easy looks to keep the chains moving. In turn, Bowers did the bulk of his damage in the final two quarters. He had four grabs for 40 through 30 minutes of action and then lit the Dolphins up for nine catches, 86 yards, and a touchdown in the second half. Staring down a likely loss to the Broncos next week, we should expect a similar game script for the Raiders in Week 12. Bowers will remain a contender for the TE1 overall rank next week.

Bowers was mainly quiet throughout the game, with just 23 receiving yards until the fourth quarter. He eventually scored on a 22-yard pass from Desmond Ridder in garbage time, appeasing fantasy managers with his box score. Outside of the box score, he drew a key defensive pass interference to prolong a scoring drive in the first quarter. The Raiders will have low opportunity amidst a struggling offense and struggling quarterbacks. However, Bowers is a top-two pass-catching option on the team and his rookie record-setting pace makes him a high-end TE1 moving forward.

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo called a good game. Bowers was held to just one target in both the second and third quarters, combined. Bowers flashed early, notably winning against the Chiefs’ No. 1 CB, Trent McDuffie, in the second quarter. Bowers was ultimately held to his lowest target total since Week 4 though. He is a high-end TE1 against the Bengals in Week 9.

Bowers extends his double-digit target outings to three in this one, earning a 40.0 percent target share against the Rams. Bowers makes a strong case to be treated as the overall TE1 moving forward, though the Chiefs’ star-eraser, DC Steve Spagnuolo awaits Bowers in Week 8. He is a volatile TE1 for the occasion.

Meyers was listed as doubtful last week and predictably did not play. We can assume he will be ruled out with inactive this time around as well. With Davante Adams officially off the Raiders, Brock Bowers is the only proven pass-catcher on the roster and healthy. Bowers will push for a TE1 overall ranking this week. Tre Tucker, Tyreik McAllister, and DJ Turner will all get reps at wide receiver this week, though fantasy managers would be wise to avoid this messy situation on a struggling offense.

Aaron Rodgers gets his buddy to New York as the Jets season is on the brink following a devastating Monday night loss to the Bills. Adams, who has missed three straight games with a supposed hamstring injury, could suit up for the Jets as soon as Week 7 against the Steelers if his injury suddenly heals. The third round draft pick acquired by the Raiders could turn into a second round pick if Adams performs well for the remainder of the 2024 season. The Jets will pick up the remaining $11.6 million on Adams’ 2024 deal. Adams’ inclusion in the Jets offense is a major blow to Garrett Wilson’s fantasy prospects. Wilson has lived off of target volume this season and Adams will surely step in as the team’s unquestioned alpha wideout. Brock Bowers should continue seeing as many opportunities as any tight end in the NFL with Adams leaving Las Vegas, and Jakobi Meyers should be somewhat reliable as a WR3 with Adams gone.

With both Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers sidelined, it was Bowers who was the main focal point of the passing attack. That was with the Raiders using a lot of two-tight-end sets and keeping Bowers in to block at times. That usage could take a small hit with Meyers back, but we have no idea what Adams’ situation in Las Vegas is, which means Bowers will remain a high-end TE1 for the foreseeable future. If Adams does get traded, there is an argument for Bowers to be right alongside Travis Kelce as the top tight ends in fantasy football.

Mayer has been away from the two for their past two games because of the personal matter. He will now miss at least four more weeks while on the reserve/NFI list. Brock Bowers is locked into an every-down role and a weekly top-five fantasy ranking at tight end.

Bowers has been marvelously efficient through five games, averaging 2.22 yards per route run despite subpar quarterback play. He is the primary passing game weapon in all facets of the game, crucially including when the team is in scoring position. He is an elite TE1 against the Steelers in Week 6.