Raiders’ Brock Bowers sets record for receiving yards by rookie TE

Dec 30, 2024, 8:49 AM | Updated: 8:51 am

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20: Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs the ball against...

(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

Sactown Sports

Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders moved past Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka on Sunday to set the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in his rookie season.

Bowers’ third catch on Sunday — a 13-yard grab late in the second quarter against the host New Orleans Saints — pushed his season total to 1,087 yards. Ditka totaled 1,076 receiving yards in 14 games with the Chicago Bears in 1961.

Bowers, 22, set the record for receptions by a rookie tight end earlier this season by eclipsing the total of 86 reeled in by Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions in 2023. Bowers had 101 catches entering Sunday’s game.

Brock Bowers stands alone 👏

The most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in NFL history! ☠️ pic.twitter.com/hasSGbr8aY

— ESPN (@espn) December 29, 2024

Bowers was selected by the Raiders with the 13th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

While with Georgia, Bowers was the first back-to-back winner of the Mackey Award (2022, 2023), which is given to the top tight end in college football.

–Field Level Media

More on Brock Bowers & the Las Vegas Raiders

Aidan O’Connell threw two touchdown passes, Daniel Carlson kicked four field goals, Ameer Abdullah had the first 100-yard rushing game of his career and the visiting Las Vegas Raiders defeated the New Orleans Saints 25-10 on Sunday afternoon.

Abdullah, playing in the 141st game of his 10-year career, finished with 115 yards on 20 carries. O’Connell completed 20 of 35 passes for 242 yards as the Raiders (4-12) won their second straight after a 10-game losing streak.

Brock Bowers added seven receptions for 77 yards, giving him 1,144 receiving yards, which broke the NFL single-season record for a rookie tight end, set by Mike Ditka with 1,076 yards in 14 games in 1961.

Bowers also eclipsed the single-season rookie reception record with his 106th catch, besting Puka Nacua’s 105 grabs for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023.

Rookie Spencer Rattler passed for 218 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and fell to 0-5 as the starter for the Saints (5-11).