Video: Raiders’ Brock Bowers Breaks Malik Nabers’ NFL Record for Catches by a Rookie

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 5, 2025

Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Malik Nabers’ time as the NFL record holder for catches in a rookie season was short-lived.

While the New York Giants wide receiver finished the season with 109 catches after hauling in five receptions during Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers moved back into first place with his second catch during his team’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Bowers entered play with 108 receptions and notched his 110th in the third quarter.

NFL @NFLThat’s 110 receptions for @brockbowers17! The most by ANY rookie in NFL history 🔥

📺: #LACvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Okg4NZxm3D

While Nabers won’t be the rookie record holder, he did at least set the Giants’ franchise record for catches in a season. Steve Smith previously held that mark with 107 receptions from the 2009 campaign.

Prior to this season, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua set the record last year with 105 catches.

This isn’t the only record for Bowers.

He also broke the record for the most receiving yards in a season for a rookie tight end. Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka previously had the record from when he posted 1,076 receiving yards during the 1961 campaign, but Bowers entered play Sunday with 1,144 receiving yards.

The Georgia product was the No. 13 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft and has more than lived up to expectations as a game-changing tight end. He figures to be a franchise building block for years to come and started off his career in record-setting fashion.

Bowers has been a bright spot for a Raiders team that entered play in last place in the AFC West with a 4-12 record.