Next Rob Gronkowski? Patriots Champion Hypes Up Raiders Rookie

Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Sam LaPorta are among the best tight ends in the NFL today, but there is a rookie out in Las Vegas who could emerge as a new household name.

Brock Bowers broke out through his first two games of the season. The 13th overall pick caught nine passes for 98 yards in the Raiders' upset road win over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday.

Bowers became the first rookie tight end to catch over five passes for over 50 receiving yards in the first two games of his NFL career. He leads all tight ends with 15 receptions and 156 yards. His Week 2 performance led his star teammate to offer massive praise.

"I don't ever like to put expectations on a young player, but the type of kid that he his -- I mean, he really only cares about football," Davanate Adams told Kay Adams and Rob Gronkowski on "Up & Adams" on Tuesday. "He shows some promise of looking like this guy that's on the screen with us right now, honestly. I don't want to do that to him or downplay what (Gronkowski's) done. He's one of the best to ever do it, and I totally mean that. But this young player is on a different level for a rookie. And I think Baltimore got a chance to feel that a little bit."

The comparison to Gronkowski surprised Adams, but the former New England Patriots star was in lockstep with the wide receiver's take.

"I agree with that Davante," Gronkowski said. "Brock Bowers, I was a big fan of him when he was with Georgia. The guy's a winner. The guy's a playmaker whenever the ball's thrown to him. I love his explosiveness after the catch. I feel like he's on track to be better than myself. I don't think he can dominate in the trenches like I dominated in the trenches, but overall, just as a pass-catching threat, I think he can surpass me in many situations. I mean, he already has 15 catches, the most by any rookie of all time in their first two games as a tight end. So shoutout to Brock Bowers. I can't wait to continue watching him."

Bowers came into the NFL as a two-time national champion and a two-time John Mackey Award winner. The 21-year-old could have been a target for the Patriots if they traded down from the No. 3 pick, and he was taken by New England in at least one mock draft.

But the Raiders scooped him up at No. 13 in this year's draft, and he has the potential to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL and fantasy football.