Raiders' rookie WR Dont'e Thornton Jr.'s path to stardom just cleared up with Amari Cooper retirement
Raiders' rookie WR Dont'e Thornton Jr.'s path to stardom just cleared up with Amari Cooper retirement originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Las Vegas Raiders looked for a week-plus like they might be trying to make sure Dont'e Thornton Jr. wasn't thrown into the fire too quickly.
The Amari Cooper signing in free agency looked like it'd solidify the WR depth chart a bit in front of the rookie.
But instead, the physically imposing rook beat out Cooper for a starting job on the Raiders' Week 1 unofficial depth chart. And on Thursday, Cooper opted to retire .
That leaves Thornton in prime position to shine right away.
Thornton is only the third WR ever to run a 40-yard dash in the 4.3-second window and measure 6-foot-5, along with all-time greats Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss.
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The Raiders drafted Thornton in the fourth round of April's NFL Draft, at No. 108 overall.
He started his college career at Oregon, but he broke out once he transferred to Tennessee . In 2024, he had 26 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns, which works out to 25.4 yards per catch.
Then at the NFL Combine, Thornton ran a 4.30-second 40-yard dash while also measuring 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds. He's a physical monster.
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This summer, Thornton impressed, and his usage in the preseason finale showed that off.
Thornton was out there with the first-team offense, and down near the end zone, starting QB Geno Smith looked Thornton's way for a back-shoulder jump ball near the front pylon.
The rookie came down with the pass for a touchdown.
With no Cooper in the way, Thornton should get plenty more chances to be the back-shoulder guy for Geno.
He might be a star sooner rather than later.
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