Panic Meter: Brock Bowers

Yes, I am aware that in past articles the panic meter has encapsulated a category. We’ve looked at second year receivers, rookie running backs, and first round wide receivers. But given the unknown of Brock Bowers’ particular situation, taking into account both his injury and the lack of production when he has been playing, it’s imperative that he gets his own article. With that, let’s dive into how Bowers owners should be feeling about TE1 entering the season. 

Brock Bowers: Panic Meter: 6

Bowers comes in at a 6 on our panic meter mainly because of the current unknown nature of his injury. After getting hurt in week 1 against the Patriots, Bowers played through his knee injury in weeks 2-4, only catching 19 passes for 122 yards total in those three contests. Following these lackluster performances, news came out that the only way for Bowers to recover from his injury was rest. He had been pushing himself to play through the pain as many athletes will often do, but despite several weeks passing, Bowers knee was not getting any better. Ultimately, the Raiders made the decision to shut him down in order to give him the most rest possible. As he currently enters his third consecutive week without playing, we still don’t have many more answers as it pertains to a possible timetable. The Raiders are on their bye week 8. If Bowers ends up returning for week 9, then I would be comfortable dropping this panic meter as low as 3. But the fact that it’s so unknown as to when he’ll return, and even once he does return, how effective he can really be, causes his current panic meter to be set at a 6. If you drafted Bowers in the second round, it’s very possible you find yourself struggling at this point. In that event, don’t be afraid to make a big move as we enter the halfway point of the fantasy regular season.