Raiders Brock Bowers Drops to No. 60 on NFL Top 100 After Injury Plagued Season

Brock Bowers Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders star Brock Bowers slipped to No. 60 on the NFL Top 100 list after an injury-marred 2025 season, but his ranking still speaks volumes about how highly players around the league view him.

After bursting onto the scene with a historic rookie campaign, expectations were sky-high for Bowers entering Year 2. Unfortunately, knee issues limited him from the start and prevented him from matching the incredible production that made him one of the NFL’s biggest stars as a rookie.

Even so, the Raiders tight end still earned a second straight Pro Bowl selection and remains one of the most dangerous players at his position.

Brock Bowers Injuries Affected 2026 Production

Brock Bowers is out for the season.
Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) catches a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Bowers entered the 2025 season looking to build on one of the best rookie seasons ever by a tight end. Instead, injuries became a constant obstacle.

Knee problems hampered him early in the year and disrupted what many expected would be another massive statistical season. While he remained productive when available, he never fully replicated the week-to-week dominance that defined his rookie campaign.

That likely played a role in his drop on the NFL Top 100 list.

A year ago, Bowers appeared to be on a fast track toward becoming one of the league’s highest-ranked non-quarterbacks. The injury setbacks slowed that rise, at least temporarily.

Bowers Still Showed Why He’s Special

Even during a frustrating season, Bowers produced flashes that reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the NFL’s elite young playmakers.

His best performance came in Week 9 after returning from injury.

Against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bowers delivered a monster game with 12 catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns. He was targeted on more than a third of his routes and consistently overwhelmed the Jaguars’ defense despite the Raiders ultimately coming up short.

The performance served as a reminder that few tight ends can impact a game the way Bowers can when healthy. Whether lining up inline, in the slot, or out wide, he remains a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Historic Production Through Two Seasons

While the 2025 season may have felt disappointing by Bowers’ standards, the bigger picture remains extraordinary.

According to NFL Pro Insight, Bowers has recorded 176 receptions through his first 29 career games.

That’s the most catches by any tight end in NFL history over his first two seasons.

Think about some of the greatest tight ends the league has ever seen. Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten all had remarkable starts to their careers. None of them caught more passes through two seasons than Bowers.

That statistic alone highlights just how unique his trajectory has been since entering the NFL.

Raiders Counting on a Big Bounce-Back Year

Las Vegas enters the 2026 season with a new-look coaching staff and offensive approach, which could create an ideal environment for Bowers to return to elite production.

The Raiders have consistently built their passing attack around him because he’s their most difficult weapon to defend. His combination of size, speed, route-running ability, and yards-after-catch skills makes him a focal point every week.

If he can stay healthy, there’s every reason to believe his numbers will rebound significantly.

The Week 9 explosion against Jacksonville showed that the elite version of Bowers is still very much there. The challenge now is putting together a full season at that level.

No. 60 May End Up Looking Low

Falling to No. 60 might feel like a disappointment after the hype generated by his rookie year, but context matters.

Bowers was dealing with injuries, still made the Pro Bowl, and remains one of the most productive young players at his position. Many players would consider that a career year.

The ranking may actually reflect how much respect he still commands around the league despite the setbacks.

Players clearly haven’t forgotten what Bowers is capable of when healthy. If he returns to his rookie form in 2026, a move back up the rankings seems inevitable.

For now, No. 60 serves as a reminder of both his injury frustrations and his remarkable talent. Even during a down year, Brock Bowers remained one of the NFL’s top players, and the Raiders are hoping Year 3 brings another leap forward.