The Raiders made a surprising move this weekend when they traded Lynn Bowden Jr. to the Dolphins.
It wasn’t just that the Raiders traded Bowden, but that they also essentially gave up a 2020 third-round pick (Bowden) and a 2021 sixth-round pick to Miami for a 2021 fourth-round pick. They also already paid Bowden his $985,000 signing bonus, so that’s almost $1 million cap space lost as well.
Not long after the trade, The Athletic Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur reported that the Raiders thought Bowden was not only struggling to stand out in the pros, but he was also a bad influence for the team’s young roster.
Bowden really struggled at training camp, but that can’t be the whole story. And it isn’t.
Some at the team facility thought the rookie was more concerned with picking up new cars than the playbook, and on the field Bowden looked measured and not explosive. On top of a lack of breakaway speed, he was always getting blasted when it was his turn to pass block.
There were also some growing concerns that he was getting more and more distracted in Las Vegas and that he might be an influence on other rookies like Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette.
Suddenly, that slide rule that teams use to measure talent versus potential risks tilted toward the conclusion that keeping Bowden was a losing proposition.
After the ‘report’ came out, Bowden and Kentucky recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow responded.
Don’t believe everything you read lol I stepped outside of my home twice if that on to a new journey let’s rock
— Lynn Bowden Jr (@LynnBowden_1) September 6, 2020
Marrow also criticized the Raiders for passing on former Kentucky star Josh Allen in the 2019 draft to take Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell, a mistake to say the least.
@LynnBowden_1 is one of the best football players I’ve been around he’s not a running back he’s a Wr who can make plays. He’s also a very intelligent football player so just remember this is the same team who passed on @JoshAllen41_ enough said. Go Big Blue.
— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) September 6, 2020
Mic drop.