NFL insider offers insight into LA Rams' failed pursuit of Raiders TE Brock Bowers

Brock Bowers was one of the most hyped prospects going into the 2024 NFL Draft. College beat writers were gushing about the tight end. NFL beat writers were somewhat skeptical as seemingly half of the hyped prospects don't work out at the professional level.

However, at least in his rookie season, Bowers has ascended near the top of the tight end pecking order. The Las Vegas Raiders ended up settling for the tight end instead of getting a quarterback, but it might not have ended up that way.

According to NFL insider Dianna Russini in a Dec. 27 post on X, another team sharing the same time zone as the Raiders had an interest in moving up to grab him. The Los Angeles Rams had interest in the tight end, but either lacked the capital to move up or couldn't find someone willing to trade down.

Either way, Bowers joined a mix of Aiden O'Connell and Gardner Minshew instead of joining Matthew Stafford.

Exploring how Brock Bowers could have fit in with the Los Angeles Rams

Brock Bowers at Jacksonville Jaguars v Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Getty

The first-round pick was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The Rams missed the pick by six slots, picking Jared Verse with their 19th overall pick instead.

Had Bowers instead had fallen to them or if they had traded up, Matthew Stafford might have had the most impressive offense in the NFL.

Of course, the team's pass rush would not have been the same. Still, Brock Bowers would have been dropped into a lineup with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to round out the receiving unit.

All three receivers are capable of and have earned 1000 yards in their career before, so Stafford would have had his pick of the litter. The Rams currently sit in first place in the NFC West and are in control of their own destiny. But adding Bowers might have been the difference between wrapping up the division in November instead of Week 17 or Week 18.

Verse has been productive in his rookie season, currently working with 4.5 sacks and 63 total tackles. However, Bowers' 1000 yards and four touchdowns arguably outrank Verse's impact on the team.

Either way, the 2024 season has worked out for the Rams despite missing out on Bowers. Could it have been the difference between creating an electric buzzsaw or a handsaw?