Raiders will want rookie receivers to make influence

HENDERSON, Nev. — It was a small pattern measurement, however Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s potential was noticeable within the first week of the Las Vegas Raiders‘ OTAs final month.

Through the workforce interval of observe, quarterback Geno Smith rolled to his proper earlier than throwing an intermediate go to the again of the tip zone, slipping the ball previous tight protection as receiver Thornton secured the landing seize.

In April, Las Vegas drafted Thornton within the fourth spherical with the hope that performs just like the one he made in observe will translate to the common season and past.

Thornton is within the early part of studying the offense and sprucing his route operating. On the similar time, Thornton and fellow rookie wideout Jack Bech‘s growth could possibly be essential within the success of the Raiders’ offense in 2025.

Outdoors of broad receiver Jakobi Meyers, who recorded 1,027 receiving yards final season, there is a sudden decline in manufacturing amongst Las Vegas’ broad receivers. The remainder of the room mixed to catch 50 passes for 570 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. If the Raiders really need to maximize their time with Smith underneath middle, it’d come right down to Thornton and Bech remodeling into rapid contributors.

“There’s loads of expertise in that room,” Raiders broad receiver coach Chris Beatty advised ESPN. “It is our job to ensure that we put them in positions to maximise the expertise they’ve and attempt to reduce the training curve as a lot as we are able to for them.”

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly mentioned Thornton is a “distinctive” participant. At 6-foot-5 and 205 kilos, the previous Tennessee wideout is an enormous goal however has blazing pace. Thornton accomplished the 40-yard sprint in 4.3 seconds in the course of the NFL mix in February.

Thornton’s pace made him a big-play menace for the Volunteers. Final yr, Thornton — who performed two seasons at Oregon earlier than transferring to Tennessee in 2023 — led the nation in yards per catch (25.4) and catches for 50-plus yards (six).

The Maryland native additionally had 73.1% of his receptions lead to a primary down or a landing.

“He is only a hair underneath 6-5 and he ran 4.3. There’s not loads of people on this planet [who] try this,” Kelly mentioned. “I feel should you had a draw up an out of doors receiver, you’ll choose that sort of physique sort, somebody that is received size, somebody that is received an enormous catch radius, but in addition has pace.”

Thornton passes the attention take a look at by way of bodily traits. And he has the potential to open up the passing sport in a serious method. Not solely can he be a deep-ball goal for Smith, however he could possibly be used as a decoy to create alternatives for beneath throws.

Nevertheless, Thornton has a steep studying curve. One of many largest issues about Thornton within the draft was his imperfect route tree, which limits what he can do on the sphere. As well as, he had a low quantity of targets throughout his school profession. Thornton was focused 96 occasions in 48 video games.

“There are loads of issues he needs to work on, so far as sprucing his route operating releases,” mentioned Beatty, who was the Chicago Bears‘ interim offensive coordinator in 2024. “For a taller man, we have set to work on understanding the entire scheme, so every part slows down for him. He is carried out a fantastic job thus far, however he is received an extended option to go to get the place he is going to have the ability to be a contributor straight away.”

Bech, the Raiders’ second-round choose, has the physicality and ball abilities to solidify the function as WR3. In his ultimate season at TCU, Bech had 17 contested catches and generated 339 yards after the catch.

He additionally offers Kelly the flexibleness to line him up both on the skin or within the slot. He had 24 catches for 455 yards within the slot and caught 36 passes for 564 yards as an out of doors receiver. And because the Raiders are anticipated to be a run-heavy offense, Bech’s capacity as a blocker additionally opens the door for room to play significant snaps.

“He’ll block like loopy,” coach Pete Carroll mentioned.

Tommy Mellott, a sixth-round pick of Montana State, is an attention-grabbing case, as he switched from quarterback to broad receiver. For Mellott, pace is his strongest attribute. That trait will assist him on particular groups, however offensively, he might turn into a reliable presence within the slot or be utilized in wildcat formations.

Beatty mentioned Mellott offers a unique perspective as a consequence of his quarterback background. All through OTAs and rookie minicamp, the teaching workers has been working diligently on instructing Mellott to navigate by way of coverages.

“He is getting higher day-after-day, and that is to be anticipated,” Beatty mentioned.

When trying on the depth at broad receiver, every rookie has a possibility to earn important enjoying time. Third-year wideout Tre Tucker — 47 catches, 539 yards and three touchdowns in 2024 — is projected as WR2. From there, the competitors is broad open. Alex Bachman has 31 profession receiving yards. Kyle Philips hasn’t performed since 2023.

The Raiders’ offensive success is not going to solely come right down to their rookie broad receivers. Meyers has confirmed to be a reliable goal. In the meantime, second-year tight finish Brock Bowers already has a robust case for being one of the best participant at his place. He had 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and 5 touchdowns as a rookie.

But when Las Vegas needs to reside as much as its full potential, it may take one among these younger gamers to step up in an enormous method.

“All people’s on a unique degree after they are available in, and it is only a matter of them getting acclimated,” Kelly mentioned. ” … [Thornton and Bech] have proven that they are good gamers, and we’ll proceed to see how they go.”