Photo Credit: John Locher/Associated Press
In just one week of OTAs, rookie receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. gave the Las Vegas Raiders something to be excited about. During a team drill, quarterback Geno Smith rolled to his right and delivered a pass to the back of the end zone. Thornton made the play, reaching past tight coverage to secure the touchdown. The Raiders selected Thornton in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft hoping for moments like that to carry over into the regular season. Now, the 6-foot-5 receiver is learning the offense and sharpening his route running. His progress—and that of fellow rookie Jack Bech—could play a major role in how far the offense goes this season.
A Thin Receiver Room Beyond Meyers
Jakobi Meyers led the team with 1,027 receiving yards in 2024, but the rest of the wide receivers combined for just 50 catches, 570 yards, and three touchdowns. If the Raiders want to get the most out of Geno Smith at quarterback, they’ll likely need big contributions from their rookie receivers.
“There’s a lot of talent in that room,” wide receivers coach Chris Beatty said. “It’s our job to make sure that we put them in positions to maximize the talent they have and try to lessen the learning curve as much as we can for them.”
Thornton’s Speed and Size Stand Out
Thornton’s physical tools are impossible to ignore. He ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, a rare feat for a player just shy of 6-foot-5 and weighing 205 pounds. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly called him “unique” and said he’s the kind of athlete teams dream of at wide receiver.
After transferring from Oregon to Tennessee, Thornton became one of the nation’s best deep threats in 2023. He led the country with 25.4 yards per catch and had six receptions of 50-plus yards. Over 73% of his catches went for a first down or touchdown.
“He’s just a hair under 6-5 and he ran 4.3. There’s not a lot of humans on this planet [who] do that,” Kelly said. “I think if you had a draw up an outside receiver, you would pick that type of body type, someone that’s got length, someone that’s got a huge catch radius, but also has speed.”
Room to Grow as a Route Runner
While Thornton brings size and speed, he still has work to do. He wasn’t heavily targeted in college—just 96 times over 48 games—and his limited route tree raised concerns heading into the draft.
“There are a lot of things he wants to work on, as far as polishing his route running releases,” Beatty said. “For a taller guy, we’ve got to work on understanding the whole scheme, so everything slows down for him. He’s done a great job so far, but he’s got a long way to go to get where he’s going to be able to be a contributor right away.”
Jack Bech Brings Physicality and Versatility
Second-round pick Jack Bech may have the best shot at locking down the WR3 role. The former TCU receiver had 17 contested catches last season and gained 339 yards after the catch. He’s able to line up in multiple spots—outside and in the slot—and he’s also a tough blocker, which helps in the Raiders’ expected run-heavy offense.
“He’ll block like crazy,” head coach Pete Carroll said.
Bech caught 24 passes for 455 yards from the slot and added 36 receptions for 564 yards on the outside in 2024. His flexibility gives the Raiders more options and could keep him on the field more often.
Tommy Mellott’s Unique Skill Set
Sixth-round pick Tommy Mellott is a former quarterback from Montana State now learning to play wide receiver. His speed and vision could help on special teams and possibly as a wildcat option on offense. He’s adjusting to reading defenses from a different position.
“His quarterback background helps,” Beatty said. “He’s improving every day, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
Competition Is Wide Open Behind WR2
Tre Tucker, who had 47 catches for 539 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, is projected as the team’s WR2. But behind him, there’s little proven production. Alex Bachman has just 31 career receiving yards. Kyle Philips hasn’t played since 2023.
That opens the door for Thornton, Bech, and Mellott to earn key roles. With little depth, any of them could see real playing time early in the season.
Meyers and Bowers Still Lead the Way
Las Vegas won’t be relying on rookies alone. Meyers is a dependable veteran target, and second-year tight end Brock Bowers has already made a name for himself. Bowers caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie and could be one of the NFL’s top tight ends in 2025.
Raiders Need a Rookie to Step Up
The Raiders’ offense isn’t built around just one player, but if it’s going to reach its full potential with Geno Smith, it may require one of these rookies to grow up fast.
“Everybody’s on a different level when they come in, and it’s just a matter of them getting acclimated,” Kelly said. ” … [Thornton and Bech] have shown that they’re good players, and we’ll continue to see how they go.”
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This report used information from ESPN.
