The Associated Press just dropped their preseason tight end rankings for 2026, and Raiders star Brock Bowers landed at a solid No. 3 overall. That’s a huge shoutout for a player who’s clearly already making waves across the league, even after a 2025 season that saw him battling through some tough injury luck. But don’t get it twisted, even with the bumps, the dude still flashed his undeniable talent.
Injury Battle Couldn’t Stop the Production
Look, Bowers was absolutely sensational as a rookie in 2024, racking up a whopping 1,194 receiving yards and instantly stamping himself as an All-Pro. So when 2025 rolled around, and he was “plagued by injuries,” it was a real bummer to see him limited. He still managed to haul in 64 passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns over just 12 games, which is seriously impressive for an injury-hit year. Making his second Pro Bowl in a season like that? That tells you everything you need to know about his sheer impact when he’s on the field. The guy gained 296 yards after the catch, showing that once he snags it, he’s a nightmare to bring down. Sure, he had three drops, but considering the difficult catches he made throughout the year, that’s a small detail.
The Dynamic Receiver vs. The Work in Progress
Bowers is a truly dynamic receiver, no question about it. He proved he could be the Raiders’ primary target, making dazzling, difficult catches look almost routine. That pass-catching talent alone puts him squarely among the best in the game, and for some, probably still *the* best, like he was in his All-Pro rookie year. He’s got that “it” factor when the ball is in the air. However, the AP also pointed out that he’s “still a work in progress as a blocker.” That’s the grind right there. To go from No. 3 to undeniably No. 1, that’s the next step, you know?
So, here we are, looking at the 2026 season. With this No. 3 ranking, the league is clearly expecting Bowers to not only bounce back healthy but to dominate. He’s got all the talent in the world to be considered among the absolute elite tight ends, and every snap he plays this year will be under that spotlight. It’s going to be wild to see if he can push past that injury-plagued 2025 and reclaim his rookie year form, or even surpass it, especially by leveling up his blocking. This ranking sets the stage for a massive year for him.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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