Update: The Miami Dolphins have reportedly acquired Bowden and a future sixth for a future fourth-round pick. Bowden could have some intermediate value on a barren WR depth chart, but the collapse in positional value removes him from the redraft radar.
Lynn Bowden Jr. was drafted with the No. 80 pick in the 2020 NFL draft. The Raiders have tried to manage expectations for a player undergoing a position change during a preseason-less year, but it’s difficult when Bowden was taken 14 picks after Antonio Gibson and six picks before Zack Moss. Both of those rookies have rocketed into the first eight rounds of fantasy drafts, while Bowden has slipped out entirely.
The Raiders have time to be patient given the presence of Josh Jacobs and the un-dynamic duo of Theo Riddick and Jalen Richard in the passing catch roles. But Bowden has also not been impressive in camp. From RotoViz news:
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Lynn Bowden Jr. was drafted to play a special role in head coach Jon Gruden’s offense, but he hasn’t exactly been standing out in training camp, according to reports. General manager Mike Mayock said the team is going to be patient with the third-round selection from Kentucky. “We’re asking him to play a completely different position. Were putting a lot on his plate,” Mayock said.
Mayock continued, “He’s got running plays, he’s got punts returns, we’re going to ask him to catch the ball, so we’re asking an awful lot of this young man. Any time you ask a college player to play a different position it’s called a projection and you’ve got to give them some time. That’s the way I feel about Lynn. Lynn has come in and done everything we’ve asked. We just have to continue to give him the time to learn to convert to a running back primarily. And he’s never been that before.”
These are the kinds of quotes that help fantasy owners understand the difficulty a young player faces, but they don’t scream early-season involvement.
Bowden has now dropped off the redraft radar, but could this play to your advantage? Could he be the prototypical league-winning, waiver wire add?
