This NFL rookie class has been a true delight to watch if you are a die hard football fan. There is so much talent and on both sides of the ball. On the defense side of the ball, Jared Verse (Rams) and Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles) have been stellar for their respective teams. The defensive side of the ball should get more attention than they maybe do, but it’s the offensive side of the ball that has a lot of eye opening talent.

From the skill position at wide receiver it is loaded. However, the quarterback class is what is standing out the most. The first three quarterbacks taken during the draft are all starters for their teams. Also, two of them are the top two favorites for rookie of the year. Jayden Daniels (-250 odds on Draftkings) is the betting favorite. He has been the definition of consistent under center. Daniels has thrown for 2,819 yards and has thrown 15 touchdowns. Also, he has ran the ball for 590 yards and scoring six times. Daniels has been named rookie of the week eight out of 13 times.

Bo Nix (+200 odds on Draftkings) had a tough start to the season. He could not find any rhythm and more often than not could not make the proper throws. However, he’s turned a corner, especially after the first Raiders game. Nix has thrown for 2,842 yards and has a 63.8 completion percentage. He looks more and more comfortable under center and in the pocket. But they aren’t alone and have a position player knocking on the door.

For the Las Vegas Raiders, their prized rookie in Brock Bowers had a strong case to win rookie of the year defeating both the quarterbacks.

Bowers Case to Win Rookie of the Year

The Raiders were set to take a quarterback this draft, until the Atlanta Falcons threw a monkey wrench in the draft board and drafted Michael Penix Jr. In a way, that is a blessing in disguise because the Raiders drafted Brock Bowers and he has been everything you could ask for on the offensive side of the ball.

Most of the time (including the MVP award) typically goes to the quarterback. That is the most important position on the football field and truly the backbone of any football team. However, Bowers has been arguably the most consistent rookie and playing a tougher position.

Bowers is the tight end for the Raiders. Not only has he been effective in the pass game, he does have to block on running plays. Also, he plays for the Raiders, whose offense has been pretty subpar during the course of the season.

A lot of the talk from this class was from the receiver position. Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison Jr. were the most standout players at the position and were the best of the best in that regard. However, Bowers has surpassed them in the pass game.

Among all rookies in receiving yards, Bowers leads the way with 884 yards. Yes, he’s been targeted the second most among rookie receivers, but when you look at the Raiders offense it is game-planned around him. Bowers averages 73.7 yards per game, which is also second most and he’s tied for third in touchdowns. Let’s also remember. He is not catching balls from Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. He was catching them from Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell and that should be taken into account.

It’s not just that he’s performing well amongst his peers, but what he’s been able to do in terms of setting records.

Bowers is set to break the record for most receptions by a tight end in a single season. He currently has 84 and the record is 86, which was set by Detroit Lions tight end Sam Laporta last season. Also, Mike Ditka has the most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season with 1,076.

Bowers made history just in his first seven games. His 47 receptions set an NFL record, being the most by a rookie tight end in league history. Even legendary tight end Rob Gronkowski had high praise for Bowers this season.

“Brock Bowers, I was a big fan of him when he was at Georgia,” Gronkowski said to host Kay Adams and teammate Davante Adams. “I feel like he’s on track to be better than myself. I don’t think he can dominate in the trenches the way I dominated in the trenches.”

“But just overall as a pass-catching tight end, I think he can surpass me in many situations.”

Bowers is a tremendous talent and is deserving of rookie of the year. He has the third best odds set at +1000 on the Draftkings Sportsbook.

Bowers Over the Quarterbacks

There is no denying that Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix are quality talented quarterbacks. Each has their respective teams in a playoff spot and has helped turn their franchises around. They are more than deserving of the prestigious award. But Bowers is doing something special. He is on the cusp on setting records as a rookie tight end and has been the focal point of a not so great offense. Bowers is thriving and not with the best arm talent throwing him the ball. He is just as valuable as the quarterbacks and has a very strong case to win rookie of the year.