Should The Raiders Remain Firm With Their Rookie Wideouts?

With training camp approaching, should the Las Vegas Raiders make an addition at wide receiver or just stick with the rookie receivers?

In terms of veteran wide receivers, Jakobi Meyers is the closest to that moniker. Meyers is the de facto best wideout aside from tight end Brock Bowers. Tre Tucker, entering his third season, is coming off a 500-plus yard effort in 2024 and is No. 2. By all accounts, there will be fierce competition for snaps.

The conundrum is whether the Raiders coaching staff truly believes that rookies such as Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton, and Tommy Mellott can be counted on right out of the gate. We’ve previously covered the options that are out there—but do the Raiders take a flyer?

Raiders WR Dont’e Thornton is turning heads already…

Well, in terms of adding another option, it appears that a certain rookie could be quelling that notion. Thornton, the former Tennessee star, has been busy putting his skills on display. ESPN’s Ryan McFadden even went as far as to say that Thornton could be garnering major playing time.

“The fourth-round pick made a strong case to be a Day 1 contributor for Las Vegas. Thornton received a good amount of reps with the first-team offense, as his combination of size and speed makes him a threat in the intermediate and deep passing game,” said McFadden. It’s true, Thornton is the quintessential “Al Davis pick” thanks to his size, as he stands six-foot-five and showed off a 4.30 40-time at the NFL combine.

Will Jack Bech be a Day 1 starter?

Bech, another rookie, is also making a significant impact alongside Thornton. The former TCU standout was the best in his final collegiate year. He recorded his first 1,000-plus-yard effort through the air and hauled in nine touchdowns. The second-round pick is expected to make his own impact, and according to McFadden, he and Thornton have been so impressive that it’s obvious why the Raiders have yet to sign another wideout.

“The Raiders didn’t make major moves at wide receiver this offseason, meaning Thornton and second-round pick Jack Bech will be asked to step up in a big way in Year 1,” McFadden added. “Thornton showed he could be ready to answer the call.”