Former Tennessee Vols standout has the early edge to start as a rookie in the NFL in 2025

Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton is making such a great impression during OTAs this summer that he's already viewed as a potential starter for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025. 

Thornton, who was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, has impressed teammates and coaches in Las Vegas with his impressive size/speed combination. The former Vol is also showing that he's more than just a vertical threat. 

"Now that he's here, seeing different parts of his game, he's not just a guy who can run fast," said Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers of Thornton last month. "He's got some real receiver capabilities."

Raiders Wire's Levi Damien pointed out this week that based on what he's seen so far at OTAs, it looks like Thornton could one of the Raiders' three starting wide receivers this fall. 

"If minicamp was any indication, the Raiders have their frontrunners for their starting wide receivers," wrote Damien. "They would have Jakobi Meyers in the slot with Tre Tucker and rookie Dont'e Thornton on the outside. All three have had their moments as a Geno Smith target in offseason practices. Meyers being mister dependable, Tucker as the speedster, and Thornton being the physical freak with the length and wingspan."

There's still a long way to go until the season starts, and Thornton will have to prove he can thrive during the grind of training camp and August practices. But so far, Thornton is showing why many draft analysts thought the Raiders got a big steal by landing the former Vol on day three of the 2025 NFL Draft.