Welcome to this Las Vegas Raiders training camp segment! We will dive into the positions and dive into questions heading into training camp. It’s truly crazy that football is right around the corner and feels like yesterday that the season ended. Today we will start with the wide receivers and tight ends and group them together! So here we go!

Wide Receivers

Can Donte Thornton Build off of His Strong Impression at OTA’s?

We were all happy and thrilled to be able to draft Ashton Jeanty. That is a player that is going to change the dynamic of how the offense is run. His ability to truly be an effective runner can help open up the pass game. Speaking of that, one of the best draft picks was Donte Thornton out of the University of Tennessee.

This is a guy who was drafted in the fourth round. His blend of size and speed was on full display during OTA’s and he was able to give a very strong first impression for his teammates and the coaching staff. This is a player who is 6’5 and is lightning fast. He is speed. That’s a weapon that Kelly is going to be thrilled to work with. If the run game is effective, it can be a great way to open up the pass game and allow Thornton to stretch the field and the defense. That was his specialty for the Volunteers, running straight down the sideline.

But while he made a good impression, it’s now time to see what happens when the pass are on. How much more of a rapport does he build with Geno Smith? What other ways is he used in this offense? It’ll all be fun to monitor in training camp. He has also been taken under the wings of Jakobi Meyers as well.

“I like him a lot,” said fellow receiver Jakobi Meyers. “I didn’t know much about him coming out, but now that he’s here, just seeing the different parts of his game, he’s not just a guy that can run fast. He’s got some real receiver capabilities to him. So, I’m excited to kind of help groom him and help push him along and just see what he could do on the field when the pads come on.”

All eyes will be on Thornton to see is he can further impress this staff.

Does Jack Bech Emerge as WR2?

When John Spytek nabbed Bech in the second round of the draft, there was value to be had there. Not to put high expectations of him, but he reminds me alot of Mike Evans. Ya know, a player Spytek and Tom Brady are very familiar with. He just does a lot of things well that embody what Evans has done for over a decade.

Bech impressed at OTA’s as well. He is a receiver that excels in catching through traffic. He will allow himself and his big frame to create separation and allow himself to get in position to catch the ball. He will help move the chains and he is a good route runner with good footwork. He built a nice rapport with Geno Smith and it gives the Raiders a legitimate threat. But does he emerge as wide receiver two behind Meyers?

It’ll be good to see. Thornton could very well play the outside, but would make a very speedy weapon in the slot to help stretch the defense. Bech lining up on the outside is the perfect way to complement Meyers and give Smith a legitimate threat. Bech plays a physical brand of football and it’ll be great to see that on display as the pads come on.

I was a fan of the pick when it happened and will be excited to see it develop as things carry on.

Tight Ends

What role with Michael Mayer Have?

For the Raiders, you already know who’s taking the mantle for the tight end position. Brock Bowers had a rookie year for the ages and the best rookie season we’ve seen from a tight end. Like Meyers, he put up a 1,000 yard season, which speaks volumes given the talent at the quarterback position a season ago. Teams will now be very aware of his presence on the football field, and now it draws our attention to Michael Mayer. What kind of role will he have and what kind of role will he play in this new look offense?

You had high hopes for him under Josh McDaniels, as he was someone who did very well with two tight ends in his offense. Welp, that’s not the case. Mayer did step aside due to personal reasons during the 2024 season. Now that he is back and refreshed, it gives him every opportunity to develop further and hone in his game. So what could that look like?

Well, the Raiders could use two tight end sets under Kelly. Kelly does run two tight end sets frequently, which gives Mayer more playing time. What could be another option, is the Raiders can shift Bowers over into the slot and allow Mayer to play the more natural tight end position. People forget that Mayer was a standout at Notre Dame and is a good pass catching tight end. There was a reason the Raiders drafted him.

He is looking to work on everything and work on developing more as a player. He has done things like hot yoga, which has helped his speed and his footwork. Kelly is going to find ways to put Mayer in position to have success and the third year pro could be in for a big year.