Two Tight Ends the Raiders Should Have on Their Draft Radar

The Las Vegas Raiders are a team in transition, and with several critical needs across the roster, the 2025 NFL Draft will be a pivotal moment for the franchise. As they look to improve in several key areas, one position that should not be overlooked is tight end. While the Raiders have a solid foundation at tight end with players like Michael Mayer from Notre Dame and Davante Adams on the receiving corps, strengthening this position could add another dimension to the offense.

Tight ends are versatile weapons, capable of contributing both in the passing game and as blockers. With the Raiders looking to improve their offensive efficiency and give quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a reliable set of weapons, adding a dynamic tight end to the mix could prove to be a key move. Here are two tight ends the Raiders should keep on their radar during the 2025 NFL Draft.

1. Brock Bowers – Georgia

Background & Overview

Brock Bowers is one of the most well-known names in college football. Playing for the University of Georgia, Bowers has been a consistent standout at the tight end position and has helped lead the Bulldogs to multiple national championships. The 2025 draft class features many talented tight ends, but few possess the skill set and raw potential that Bowers offers.

Bowers stands at 6’4” and weighs in around 240 pounds, which is an ideal size for a tight end. However, what separates Bowers from other prospects is his dynamic athleticism. He has the speed to stretch the field, the hands to make tough catches, and the physicality to block effectively at the line of scrimmage.

Why Brock Bowers Fits the Raiders

The Raiders need a reliable pass-catching tight end who can create mismatches and be a dependable target in the red zone. Brock Bowers provides all of that and more. His combination of size, speed, and football IQ makes him a matchup nightmare for defenders. His ability to operate as both a traditional in-line tight end and a flex player who can line up in the slot or out wide offers offensive coordinators a variety of ways to use him.

1. Dynamic Playmaking Ability One of the key strengths of Bowers is his explosiveness. His ability to get open and make plays after the catch would give the Raiders offense an added dimension. Jimmy Garoppolo is known for being a quick decision-maker and getting the ball out fast, and Bowers’ ability to separate from defenders will allow Garoppolo to maximize his strengths.
2. Red Zone Threat A strong red-zone presence is essential for any offense, and Bowers excels in this area. His leaping ability and ball-tracking skills allow him to make contested catches in tight spaces, which would be especially valuable in the red zone. With the Raiders struggling to convert in the red zone in recent seasons, adding a player who can consistently win one-on-one matchups in the end zone is a priority.
3. Blocker and Protector While Bowers is widely known for his receiving abilities, he is also a solid blocker. His ability to stay on the field in multiple roles—whether it’s blocking for the running back or protecting Garoppolo—is invaluable. Bowers’ versatility allows him to contribute to the run game as well, which is important for maintaining balance on offense.
4. Youth and Durability At just 22 years old, Bowers is still entering his prime. His durability has been impressive throughout his college career, and given that he has not faced significant injury setbacks, he projects to be a long-term solution for any team that drafts him.

Given Bowers’ skill set, there is a high likelihood that he will be taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. For the Raiders, selecting Bowers could be a transformational move, as they are looking to build a multi-dimensional offense with dynamic playmakers. His addition would immediately bolster the passing game and offer Garoppolo a big, reliable target that could emerge as one of the league’s top tight ends.

2. Darnell Washington – Georgia

Background & Overview

Another standout from the University of Georgia, Darnell Washington is a massive, physical tight end who has made waves as one of the most physically gifted prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’7″ and weighing in at 270 pounds, Washington is essentially a large, athletic mismatch for defenders, particularly in the blocking game.

Washington’s size and strength allow him to dominate as a blocker, both in-line and as a lead blocker in the running game. He also possesses surprising agility for his size, allowing him to run effective routes and catch passes with reliable hands. Though he is not as polished as Bowers in the passing game, Washington’s physical traits make him an incredibly intriguing prospect.

Why Darnell Washington Fits the Raiders

Washington’s physical profile and versatility make him an ideal fit for a Raiders team looking to balance the passing and running games. While the team has relied on their wide receivers to produce most of their big plays, adding a tight end like Washington would help diversify the offensive attack.

1. Blocking Beast One of the biggest areas of concern for the Raiders in recent years has been their run game. With a large offensive line, they should be able to establish a strong running attack, but they need a tight end who can move defenders off the line of scrimmage. Washington excels as a blocker, making him a perfect fit in the Raiders’ offensive scheme. His ability to engage in both run blocking and pass protection gives the offense a huge advantage, especially in short-yardage or goal-line situations.
2. Red Zone & Short Yardage Threat At 6’7″, Washington’s size makes him a prime target in the red zone. His massive catch radius and ability to outmuscle defenders for contested catches would make him a reliable option when the Raiders need to convert in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s a jump ball in the back of the end zone or a quick slant to move the chains, Washington has the physical tools to be a difference-maker.
3. Dual Threat Tight End While Washington is known for his blocking prowess, he is no slouch in the receiving game. He has shown flashes of impressive route-running and has the ability to catch passes in tight windows. His ability to operate as both a blocker and a pass catcher makes him an ideal candidate for a dual-threat tight end in the NFL.
4. Versatile & Scheme Fit The Raiders are looking to build an offense that is both dynamic and adaptable, and Washington’s versatility fits that mold. His ability to be used in multiple roles—whether as an inline tight end, a flexed-out tight end, or even as a fullback or H-back—would allow offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to employ him in a variety of ways. Washington could be used in a manner similar to how the Patriots used Rob Gronkowski: a dominant blocker who can also make key catches in the passing game.

Fit with the Raiders’ Current Roster

The Raiders currently have Michael Mayer on their roster, and while Mayer is a solid tight end in his own right, Washington would complement him well. Mayer is known more for his route running and hands, while Washington’s skill set provides more of a physical, blocking-based element to the offense. Pairing the two could give the Raiders one of the most well-rounded tight end groups in the league, allowing the team to execute both a power run game and an effective passing attack.

For the Raiders, the 2025 NFL Draft represents an opportunity to shore up a number of areas of need, and one of the most important positions that needs addressing is tight end. With Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm, the team needs a reliable and dynamic option to pair with their wide receiving corps.

Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington are two tight ends who would provide the Raiders with immediate upgrades in both the passing and running games. Whether it’s Bowers’ speed, athleticism, and pass-catching ability, or Washington’s size, blocking prowess, and red-zone threat, both players would be valuable assets for a team aiming to contend in the coming years.

Given their skill sets, both of these prospects could be taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the Raiders would be wise to seriously consider selecting one of them. Their ability to contribute to both the offensive line and the passing game could give the Raiders the balance they need to compete at a high level in the AFC West.

By adding either Brock Bowers or Darnell Washington to their offense, the Raiders would be setting themselves up for success and potentially establishing a new identity with a reliable and versatile tight end duo. The 2025 Draft could be the moment where the Raiders secure a future star at the tight end position, helping them build a more complete and effective offense.