Bowers shared starter reps with Mayer in 12/13 personnel, showing high-level talent even in a rotated role. His three-game snap share hovered in the mid-60s, with third-down dominance on separating plays. Preseason suggests a reduced but consequential role, especially on passing downs, making him elite but not guaranteed to hit full-time snap counts.

Bowers shows as a starter-in-rotation for Las Vegas, sharing ground with Mayer on many early downs. Expect a split where Mayer handles much of the early-down work, reducing Bowers’ per-game target ceiling but preserving a high-end ceiling if Mayer’s workload fluctuates. The move signals a two-TE formation path that could keep both tight ends fantasy-relevant, though Bowers’ true value hinges on how often the Raiders deploy 12/13 personnel and third-down packages.

Rookie Brock Bowers supplied a tangible upside spark for Las Vegas, drawing catches and providing after-the-catch juice. His presence elevates the Raiders’ pass-game versatility and offers a real-week-to-week upside in a depth-filled receiving corps.

Bowers burst onto the scene with 112 catches, 1,194 yards and 5 TDs as a rookie, setting a rookie TE yardage record and averaging 15.5 PPR points per game. In 2025, he has a clear path to repeating as TE1 with Geno Smith upgrading the Raiders' passing game, and as the top pass catcher in Las Vegas. His floor remains elite given target certainty and offense-wide pass volume, making him the safest TE1 upside pick.

Bowers is stepping into a pivotal role for Vegas, transforming the tight end position into a premier weapon. In concert with Geno Smith, his targets could surge, raising his fantasy ceiling to TE1 territory as the Raiders explore a more dynamic, high‐volume aerial attack.