LA Rams face their top rookie target in Week 7, TE Brock Bowers

There was plenty of speculation over the LA Rams' interest in trading up in the 2024 NFL Draft to acquire former Georgia rookie TE prospect Brock Bowers. While NFL rumors ran red hot in the weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, the team failed to trade up on Day 1, ultimately selecting Florida State Seminoles OLB Jared Verse with the 19th overall pick.

But he was not the Rams first choice.

And yet, even as the team eyed trading up scenarios to land Bowers on the roster, we had serious reservations over that strategy, and for several reasons. Our greatest 'nope,' was rooted in the fact that the team had already overinvested in the tight-end position. After all, despite the injury to starting TE Tyler Higbee, the team already had three tight end options vying for a starting role for the team.

Colby Parkinson, Hunter Long, and Davis Allen had great training camps. So much so that the team opted to keep all three on the active roster. But so far, the group has only accounted for 21 receptions out of 34 targets for 181 yards in five games. That's not very impressive.

Can the Rams defense control TE Brock Bowers?

While we cannot say how well rookie tight end Brock Bowers would perform in this Rams offense, we know that he is putting on a show in the Las Vegas Raiders offense so far in 2024. In six games, Bowers has hauled in 37 of 46 passes for 384 receiving yards and a touchdown. He is hands down the Raiders top receiver. And with the team trading away WR Devante Adams, and the outlook for WR Jakobi Meyers not very optimistic for his suiting up for Week 7, Bowers will undoubtedly get the lion's share of targets in Week 7.

While that suggests that the Rams defense can focus on Brock Bowers, don't become too confident. This is the same defense that was shredded by rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. So until the defense proves it can shut down a solid receiver, don't expect it to do so.

I'm not suggesting that Bowers crushes the Rams defense single-handedly. I'm simply concerned that a struggling secondary can contain a sensation rookie tight end to his career-high of 97 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Perhaps the secondary will catch its second-wind from the BYE. Perhaps the presence of DB Darious Williams will turn the tide. But the secondary has struggled all season to shut down opposing offenses. And while this Raiders passing attack appears ripe for the defense to show up in a big way, I'm not taking the bait.

There is a reason the Rams organization loved TE Brock Bowers. And I fear the team will be reminded why this week.

Thanks for reading.

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