The Las Vegas Raiders selecting Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was one of the most surprising moves of the entire draft. Tight end was not a need for the Raiders, but many feel Bowers could be the best player in the entire draft and the fact that he was still on the board was a shock in itself.
The Raiders and GM Tom Telesco ultimately decided to go with the player at the top of their draft board, but they certainly had an opportunity to go another route. The Los Angeles Rams were extremely interested in Bowers and tried to move up with the Raiders on draft night.
Rams GM Les Snead called the Raiders and offered a second-round pick in order to move up to 13 with the Raiders giving up a fourth-round pick in the proposed deal as well, via Austin Boyd of Heavy.com:
According to the June 14 episode of Roku Channel’s “NFL Draft: The Pick Is In,” it was revealed that the Raiders had an opportunity to trade down and add a second-round pick if they wanted. The Los Angeles Rams were all-in on trying to get Bowers but were stuck at No. 19 in the first round. This led to general manager Les Snead calling Raiders general manager Tom Telesco to try and move up to No. 13.
“I was wondering if y’all would like to go to 19. We’d give you our 52, ask for your fourth back, 112,” Snead told Telesco.
The Raiders getting an extra second-round pick to move down six spots is not a bad deal at all, especially if Telesco and the front office weren’t in love with any of the players available at 13. Obviously, that wasn’t the case, as Telesco declined the offer, and Bowers is now a member of the Raiders.
With how the draft played out, the Raiders likely could have gotten someone like cornerback Terrion Arnold, whom the team was linked to and fit more of a need. But sometimes talent outweighs everything else, and the franchise is just fine with Bowers in silver and black.
Davante Adams reveals nickname for Raiders rookie Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers is already standing out during Raiders offseason workouts, not just for his play but also for his demeanor. Because of this mindset and his care only about football, Raiders star receiver Davante Adams has nicknamed Bowers ‘BM’, for businessman.
Adams recently revealed the nickname to reporters, noting that he has tried to tell jokes and make Bowers laugh but has failed every time. Adams would add that the sky is the limit for the talented rookie.
