The NFL Draft: Decisions, Coin Flips, and the Future
When the Las Vegas Raiders selected Brock Bowers with the 13th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, it was seen as a big win for the franchise. Bowers, who was projected to go in the top 10 by most mock drafters, fell into the Raiders’ lap, much to the delight of their fans and front office.
However, in a twist of fate, the Raiders could have gone in a completely different direction. Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, who was eventually picked 24th by the Detroit Lions, revealed on a recent episode of The Next Round that the Raiders had considered him as well. According to Arnold, the team told him they had a “coin toss” between him and Bowers to make their selection.
“(The Lions) knew the Raiders, there was a possibility they took me,” Arnold said. ”Actually, the Raiders’ coach, they called me after the draft and they were like, ‘We actually had a coin toss between you and Brock Bowers and landed on him.’ I was like, ‘Oh, wow.'”
Assistant general manager Champ Kelly, however, denied the coin flip story during media availability, stating he “can’t confirm that, at all.” The idea of a professional football franchise deciding a first-round draft choice with a coin flip seems far-fetched, but in the world of sports, anything is possible.
Regardless of how the decision was made, the Raiders are confident in their choice. Bowers, known for his versatility and playmaking ability, is expected to make an immediate impact on the team. While there may have been some positional overlap with their 2023 second-round pick, Michael Mayer, Bowers’ skill set as an offensive weapon sets him apart.
Time will tell if the Raiders made the right decision in selecting Bowers over Arnold. Both players were highly regarded prospects, but ultimately, the Raiders went with the player they believed would best fit their team’s needs. Whether it was a coin flip or not, the future looks bright for both the Raiders and their newest addition, Brock Bowers.
