HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who played nine seasons in the NFL as a linebacker, can’t think of another tight end like Brock Bowers, who is playing like anything but a rookie.
Bowers, the former Georgia Bulldogs star taken 13th overall by the Raiders in this year’s NFL draft, is putting up impressive stats.
Pierce said the 21-year-old from Napa, California, is incomparable because of his combination of size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), athleticism, strength and dependable hands. And the two-time national champion is producing even though opposing defenses are sending double teams and their top cornerbacks at him.
“They know we’re going to throw him the ball and we’re going to keep throwing him the ball,” Pierce said. “He’s winning those matchups. I just think the way he plays the game after he has the ball, it’s really like a running back. He’s a receiver when the ball is in the air, and when he has a ball in his hand, he’s punishing people.
“I can’t really speak highly enough about this player. This player is doing a hell of a job this year for us, and it’s no secret what we’re going to do each and every play when there’s an opportunity to throw it to 89.”