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The Las Vegas Raiders added multiple skill position players to their roster in the NFL Draft, including wide receiver Dont'e Thornton. After adding Ashton Jeanty and Jack Bech in earlier rounds, the Raiders added another talented pass catcher in Thornton.
The Raiders' Director of College Scouting, Brandon Yeargan, spoke with the media following the completion of this year's draft. Yeargan noted a few of the things that make Thornton special.
"Yeah, Mark [Davis] joked that was the Al Davis pick of this draft, the height, weight, speed, raw traits, athleticism, speed, and I think it's just focusing on what he can do and what he can be. I mean, he's a 4.3, low 4.3 guy. He's 6'4"-plus 200-something pounds, big-time five-star recruit, goes to Oregon, then goes to Tennessee. You watch his target tape, I think it's pretty impressive," Yeargan said.
"And we think he hasn't hit his ceiling yet. We think he can still refine and improve under our coaches, but he definitely has physical traits that are outstanding." Yeah, I wouldn't limit his potential at all. I think we believe in what he can be, and he's got some unique qualities in terms of his size and speed. I think that will help him have an immediate impact, and I think he can grow from there."
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will use Thornton's unique physical gifts and skill set. In his first press conference, shortly after being drafted by the Raiders, Thornton explained which players he tries to model his game after.
"I model my game after Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones, and then more lately, I've been watching a lot of Nico Collins. I be trying to imitate a lot of things that he shows. And then just looking at the group of guys that I'm going to be joining, I'm very excited. I feel like we have the potential to be a very explosive offense and overall team in general, so I'm definitely excited," Thornton said.
John Spytek did a masterful job in his first draft with the team. Continuing to draft talented players like Thornton will go a long way toward expediting the Raiders' roster overhaul. Thornton could thrive with less attention on him, with several other talented pass catchers on the roster.
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Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should absolutely see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
Trade rejection speaks volumes about Red Sox's Jarren Duran intentions
The Boston Red Sox appear to have no interest in trading outfielder Jarren Duran, at least not in the near future. Trade rumors have swirled around Duran for most of the season, especially after designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants. However, Sean McAdam from MassLive reported that the Red Sox may wait until the offseason before moving on from the former All-Star. The decision to wait on Duran is not due to a lack of offers. McAdam also reported that the Padres made a significant offer for Duran involving pitcher Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another unnamed prospect. That offer was quickly rejected. The Padres have long coveted Duran. McAdam had previously reported that the Padres have been "relentless" in their pursuit of the Red Sox outfielder. The reported trade offer including Salas, the Padres second-best prospect and the 21st-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, illustrates how serious they are about acquiring Duran. Likewise, the Red Sox's refusal to entertain such an offer, even as a starting point for negotiations, speaks volumes about their interest in moving Duran. The Padres' offer would help solve several problems for the Red Sox in both the present and future. Moving Duran would help clear up the logjam in the outfield, while Cease and Salas would respectively improve the back of their rotation and provide a possible cornerstone behind the plate going forward. Duran is a valuable trade chip as he is under team control through 2028. He has also taken a step back in production from his stellar showing in 2024, posting a respectable .254/.321/.428 batting line in 459 plate appearances entering Friday, with nine homers and 25 doubles while stealing 16 bases. That production would be an upgrade for several teams looking to improve their outfield going forward. The question is whether or not the Red Sox will be realistic in their asking price for Duran. Considering how quickly the Padres' offer was reportedly rejected, that may not be the case.
Raiders Add Former Chiefs, Texas DT After Christian Wilkins Release
The Las Vegas Raiders signed former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million deal last offseason. Unfortunately, he only played in five games during the 2024 NFL season due to an injury. Wilkins had not yet returned to the offseason program for the Raiders this year, as he suffered a setback in his recovery process. A bitter, ongoing debate between him and the franchise about how best to rehabilitate his injury led to his release on Thursday. After this sudden move, Las Vegas needed to act quickly to add another defensive tackle to the roster. On Friday, NFL Insider Aaron Wilson reported that the team had been awarded Keondre Coburn off waivers. "#Raiders awarded DT Keondre Coburn off waivers, per a league source," Wilson wrote. Coburn played his college football with the Texas Longhorns and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. There, he only played in one game during his rookie season, but won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs. He spent the last one and a half seasons with the Tennessee Titans, where he saw his role marginally increase. Coburn played in 15 contests last season for the Titans, starting one game and recording 14 tackles. The new regime in Las Vegas, spearheaded by head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, will give Coburn another chance in the NFL. He is just 25 years old and lands with the Raiders after being waived by Tennessee the day prior.
Packers make sneaky move by grabbing 49ers castoff who could make things interesting in key offensive room
The Green Bay Packers are adding one extra offensive piece to the roster. On Friday, the team claimed running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers. He had been waived by the Niners, where he spent seven months, on Thursday. Abanikanda played college football at Pittsburgh and was drafted in the 2023 fifth round by the New York Jets. He was cut by the Jets last December and claimed by the 49ers right thereafter. Because his original rookie contract has never been terminated, he is now under control of the Packers through 2026. The running back only had playing time in regular season games during his rookie season. Abanikanda appeared in six games, with 22 carries for 70 yards (3.2 yards per attempt), plus seven receptions in 11 targets for 43 yards. In 2023, he played 7% of the offensive snaps and 1% of the special teams snaps for the Jets. Since Israel Abanikanda played for Nathaniel Hackett and Kyle Shanahan, he has a fairly decent understanding of the Green Bay Packers' offensive scheme under Matt LaFleur, which will help his transition throughout training camp. Profile Back in 2023, Abanikanda was projected as a third/fourth-round prospect by NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein. His one-cut ability, important for LaFleur's offensive style, was highlighted on his draft report. "A zone-scheme runner with early down size, Abanikanda can be a bit inconsistent with his reads and tempo early in the run. However, he has plant-and-go agility and is able to snap off cuts at tight angles to elude short-area traffic when needed. He has terrific top-end speed to gash a poorly fitted run front, but he needs to run with better discipline and downhill decisiveness to stay ahead of NFL speed. Abanikanda isn't much of a third down option, but he does have the size and talent to compete for a RB2/3 slot early on with a chance to move up the depth chart in time." — Lance Zierlein. Depth The Packers are relatively short at running back because undrafted rookie Amar Johnson started camp in the active/non-football injury list. He can be activated at any time, but it makes sense to add one more option to the backfield meanwhile. The top of the depth chart has Josh Jacobs, last year's third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd, and holdovers Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks. Most likely also competing for a practice squad spot is another undrafted rookie, Jalen White. Green Bay already had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move is necessary. The Packers have already had three practices during camp. The next one is on Sunday. Green Bay's first preseason game happens on August 9, curiously against the Jets at Lambeau Field.
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