As the Las Vegas Raiders gear up for their Week 1 clash against the Miami Dolphins on September 13, all eyes are on tight end Brock Bowers. With the Raiders looking to establish a strong offensive presence, Bowers is anticipated to be a pivotal player for quarterback Kirk Cousins in this season's opener.
The Raiders have yet to solidify a standout No. 1 wide receiver, but Bowers is expected to emerge as a primary target in the passing game. His ability to stretch the field and create mismatches in the middle of the field could make him a key asset for Cousins as the team navigates its offensive strategy.
Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and his brother David Carr have weighed in on Bowers's potential impact, drawing comparisons to how offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak utilized Jaxon Smith-Njigba during his time with the Seattle Seahawks. Derek Carr noted on the September 3 episode of “Home Grown” that Kubiak is likely to implement a similar approach with Bowers, focusing on maximizing his involvement in the offense.
“I’ve talked a lot about Bowers being used like JSN,” Derek explained. “Schematically, [offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko] and Klint are trying to figure out the best way for one, two, and three [options] to be open.” This indicates that Bowers could be a central figure in the Raiders' offensive schemes, with the potential to be the primary target on many plays.
David Carr echoed his brother's sentiments, predicting that Bowers could see a significant volume of targets, potentially reaching double digits per game. He emphasized that despite defenses being aware of the Raiders' intentions to get the ball to Bowers, Kubiak's offensive design could still lead to successful outcomes. “They do such a good job because people are like, ‘Oh, well, they’re going to know,’” David stated. “They knew where JSN was. In Seattle, every snap, and he still had 15 targets a game.”
Last season, Kubiak's offensive strategies resulted in Smith-Njigba being targeted 157 times, which ranked fourth in the league. This led to impressive statistics, including 119 receptions, 1,793 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. The effectiveness of this approach raises expectations for Bowers, who had 83 targets last season, resulting in 64 receptions, 680 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.
If the Carr brothers' predictions hold true, Bowers could see a significant increase in his target share this season, potentially replicating the success Smith-Njigba had under Kubiak's guidance. As the Raiders prepare for their season opener against the Dolphins, Bowers's role in the offense will be crucial for the team's success.
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