Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL's top 10 tight ends for 2025 (Guess who's #1)

[heavyD]

To think that some criticized the Raiders for the pick. Only 22 years old so if the Raiders play their cards right they will have a HOF calibre TE on their hands for a good decade.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/455 ... -best-game

1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 7
Age: 22 | Last year's ranking: not eligible (rookie)

Bowers makes history in our Top 10 poll -- he's the first player to rank No. 1 at his position after his rookie year. From Joe Burrow to Justin Jefferson and Sauce Gardner, many came close but couldn't quite pull off the feat.

Bowers, however, narrowly outdistanced Kittle in the polls after earning more than 50% of the first-place votes.

He was the highest-graded overall player in the 2024 draft in the eyes of some NFL scouts, but the position he plays, coupled with a strong quarterback draft, dropped him to the No. 13 pick.

Sure, the Raiders needed a quarterback in the worst way, but there's no way they regret the selection of Bowers, who met expectations, then smashed them.

Among his Year 1 records: most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in NFL history (1,194), most receptions by a rookie at any position (112) and most receptions by any player in a single season in Raiders history.

"Great person, hard worker, instinctive, great hands, matchup problem due to his speed and athleticism with elite [run after catch] ability," an NFC executive said.

Added an NFL coordinator: "He sort of just floats around out there. Game comes naturally to him."

[raider_kin]

The qb's were all gone by then. The pick surprised me but it did not disappoint; I knew it meant the team was going by best available.

[Xramfan]

If I recall I told Hubbard Brock was going to be our pick and he wasn’t too excited by it.

I remember when I was in Reno at GSR I got on the elevator right after the draft and a guy in all Raider gear walked in. I said,”We got Brock Bowers now”. He shook his head like he was disgusted as if we just drafted Jamarcus Russell and he walked out.

[heavyD]

If I recall I told Hubbard Brock was going to be our pick and he wasn’t too excited by it.

I remember when I was in Reno at GSR I got on the elevator right after the draft and a guy in all Raider gear walked in. I said,”We got Brock Bowers now”. He shook his head like he was disgusted as if we just drafted Jamarcus Russell and he walked out.

I mean you only have to look at the Patriots and Chiefs to come to the determination of how important a HOF TE can be for a franchise. Clearly Bowers has a long way to go but as long as he can avoid injuries it's hard to imagine that he's not going to finish his career as one of the best.

[SkullCrusher]

I mean you only have to look at the Patriots and Chiefs to come to the determination of how important a HOF TE can be for a franchise. Clearly Bowers has a long way to go but as long as he can avoid injuries it's hard to imagine that he's not going to finish his career as one of the best.

And that's if your ignoring, checks 3 super wins... Casper, Chester, Christensen. A TE imo has always been up there, at worst they're the QB's bailout.

[RunOverByHubbard]

If I recall I told Hubbard Brock was going to be our pick and he wasn’t too excited by it.

I remember when I was in Reno at GSR I got on the elevator right after the draft and a guy in all Raider gear walked in. I said,”We got Brock Bowers now”. He shook his head like he was disgusted as if we just drafted Jamarcus Russell and he walked out.

Who me? I think You’re right. I wanted the QB and thought we would go OT otherwise. But I quickly settled into the pick and never complained. Once I saw him dominating as a rookie well, I am just fine, fine, fine.

[JRaider17]

There is a not so far off chance that the Raiders have the top RB and TE in the league for the foreseeable future.

[raider_kin]

There is a not so far off chance that the Raiders have the top RB and TE in the league for the foreseeable future.

We will of course also have the best punter and kicker in the league as well. Raider Nation baby.

[BoKnows81]

There is a not so far off chance that the Raiders have the top RB and TE in the league for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully we get our QB sooner than later so we don't waste their talent away.

[nitroraider]

Well deserved! He's going to be a huge part of our future.

[CWood24]

I wouldn't put him above Kittle just yet as i still think Kittle has the edge over him but it is good to have a pick that is being talked about as being one of the best

I don't think anyone thought he wasn’t gonna be good at the next level it was more of a QB need that skewed the talk away from him but once all the QB’s we’re gone it was basically a no brainer

[SkullCrusher]

Kittle's injuries imo are a sizeable issue.

[BoKnows81]

I wouldn't put him above Kittle just yet as i still think Kittle has the edge over him but it is good to have a pick that is being talked about as being one of the best

I don't think anyone thought he wasn’t gonna be good at the next level it was more of a QB need that skewed the talk away from him but once all the QB’s we’re gone it was basically a no brainer

He is 100% already better than Kittle. Kittle is a tad overrated, esp since he can't stay on the field.

[FLORIDARAYDAH]

Kittle's injuries imo are a sizeable issue.

Exactly. Kittle is a great TE when healthy but the injuries are a common theme to his seasons. Hopefully Brock can stay healthy and continue to dominate

[Knockwood73]

So lucky to have him here. I hope he has another monster season.