The draft board this season is being reshaped by a single, audacious move: selecting Brock Bowers as the elite tight end in the second round, a decision that promises to anchor an entire roster construction.
The Bowers Blueprint
Bowers is projected to see an astonishing 130 targets, which should translate into 97 receptions for 1,030 yards and 6.9 touchdowns, with a ceiling that could reach 169 targets if his usage mirrors Trey McBride’s breakout season.
The Raiders’ wide receiver corps is essentially barren, leaving Bowers to shoulder nearly ten targets per game, a workload that in recent history has only been matched by prime Travis Kelce.
Quarterback Calculus
Kirk Cousins is slated to be Bowers’ primary quarterback, with Fernando Mendoza expected to take over later in the year, a situation that adds both upside and uncertainty to the tight end’s weekly production.
The author’s first‑round decision leaned toward Justin Jefferson over CeeDee Lamb, reasoning that Jefferson’s supporting cast, anchored by George Pickens, offers a more reliable WR2 than the alternatives behind Lamb.
The resulting lineup features three wide receivers, two running backs, a quarterback and a flex spot, a configuration that amplifies the value of each WR and forces opponents to adjust their own draft strategies.
Kyren Williams and D'Andre Swift were secured as the starting running backs, each projected to handle 250‑300 touches in a high‑powered Rams offense that promises ample goal‑line opportunities.
Mike Evans was drafted in the fifth round as a potential WR1, banking on the 49ers’ potent offense while acknowledging his age and injury history as manageable risks.
Late‑Round Gems
Brock Purdy was taken in the eighth round, his favorable playoff schedule — highlighted by a Week 17 home clash with the Eagles — making him a compelling late‑round starter, while Kyler Murray was added in the eleventh round as insurance for Purdy’s occasional absences.
Travis Hunter was snapped up in the thirteenth round as a high‑upside wild card, leveraging his Heisman‑winner pedigree despite limited target projections, and Deebo Samuel was selected in the fourteenth round to complete a feel‑good narrative within the 49ers’ scheme.
The assembled roster earned a B grade, praised for its depth and the positional advantage of owning what many consider the best tight end in the league, even though a top‑tier WR group remains a work in progress.