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Three Key Questions Facing Raiders Rookies in Training Camp
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- Three Key Questions Facing Raiders Rookies in Training Camp
Candice Ward-Imagn Images Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Las Vegas Raiders rookies will report to training camp on Thursday for what could be a pivotal offseason for their early development. Head coach Pete Carroll's push for in-house competition should allow the newcomers to earn starting and prominent positions for the 2025 season.
Typically, the best athletes shine during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp in the spring; however, the players who make their presence felt with pads on in the summer are most ready to contribute in the fall and winter.
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Let's address the three most significant questions related to the 2025 rookie class and explore potential solutions and outcomes to these queries.
Which WR will have bigger impact on offense: Jack Bech or Dont'e Thornton Jr.?
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Including No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty , the youth on the offensive side of the ball comes with a ton of intrigue, and it's more than enough to feel optimistic about that unit even after it scored the fourth-fewest points and ranked 27th in total yards last season.
Jeanty has a clear role as the lead running back. Second-rounder Jack Bech and fourth-rounder Dont'e Thornton can compete for the No. 2 wide receiver spot behind Jakobi Meyers , though Tre Tucker is also in the mix.
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Levi Edwards of the team's official website noted that Thornton was arguably the most impressive standout among the rookies during the spring.
The Athletic's Tashan Reed recalled Tucker and Thornton taking most of the outside reps in three-receiver sets with the starting group through mandatory minicamp.
"Meyers was mostly used as a slot receiver during OTAs, while Tucker and Thornton handled the majority of the reps on the outside with the first-team offense," Reed reported.
Bech, who's still unsigned, put together a solid showing through OTAs. Reed said the rookie wideout was "consistently open" early in May.
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Ahead of training camp, Thornton has generated more buzz than Bech, but that could change in the coming weeks. On a side note, Las Vegas and Bech must agree on contractual terms to put that issue behind them.
Can Tonka Hemingway or JJ Pegues fill significant role if Christian Wilkins misses time?
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Raiders veterans report to training camp on July 22, which will shed some light on the progress of Christian Wilkins in his recovery from a Jones fracture.
Recently, Wilkins has been wearing a walking boot. Despite that, Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore reported that the team expects the defensive tackle to be ready in August.
Regardless of Wilkins' status in the coming weeks, Las Vegas may call on rookies Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues to rotate in with the first unit until Wilkins makes a full recovery.
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Hemingway, who's listed at 6-foot-2, 284 pounds on the team's official website, lined up in different spots across the defensive line at South Carolina . The organization can get creative with his role if he's ready to contribute right away.
Pegues, listed at 6-foot-2, 309 pounds, has the prototypical size of an NFL defensive tackle, particularly as a 3-technique who can play on all three downs. His athleticism may allow him to occasionally line up further away from the A-gap.
As a sixth-rounder, Pegues could have a golden opportunity to earn more reps if Wilkins has a slow start or is absent for the start of training camp. In each of his last three collegiate seasons, he's recorded at least three sacks. The Ole Miss standout broke out with 14.5 tackles for loss last year.
Pegues has a lot to gain this summer, given Wilkins' uncertain status.
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Will a rookie cornerback earn starting job?
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Through OTAs, Darien Porter practiced with the first-team defense, opposite Eric Stokes in the secondary. At 6-2 with 33 ¼-inch arms, he's the quintessential Carroll cornerback because of his size and length.
Porter is primed to start as a rookie, but he may not be the only first-year cornerback in contention for a lead position.
Remember, Las Vegas hosted Shaquill Griffin for a visit, but he signed with the Seattle Seahawks , which suggests the team may still feel they have a need at cornerback.
Looking at the depth chart, one of the undrafted cornerbacks can make a push for a significant number of defensive snaps.
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Mello Dotson checks multiple boxes that can help him earn a roster spot and a starting job.
As a four-year collegiate starter at Kansas , Dotson comes into the league with extensive playing experience. Over the last two years, he developed a knack for finding the ball, registering 18 pass breakups and nine interceptions, returning four for pick-sixes.
Although Dotson doesn't have exceptionally long arms (31 ½ inches), he utilizes his size and length to close passing windows. Dotson only ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he positions himself well to make plays on the ball in zone coverage.
As a fifth-year veteran, Stokes may have to be significantly better than his younger teammates to earn a first-string role. Meanwhile, Jakorian Bennett has to make up ground. According to The Athletic's Reed , he practiced with the second-team defense in the spring.
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Porter and Dotson have big opportunities in front of them this summer.
Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton .
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