ESPN Insider Says Raiders Might Stand Pat with Rookie Wideouts

Are the Raiders going to make a move at wide receiver before the start of the 2025 season?

That has been the speculation since the draft, but with training camp less than a month away, the Raiders haven’t added a veteran wide receiver and might be content with two rookies taking on key roles in their first NFL season(s).

According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, former University of Tennessee wide receiver Dont’e Thornton has shown enough in the last six weeks that the Raiders might not be planning to make a move at the position.

“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 (6-5, 205) and speed (4.3 40 at the combine) makes him a threat in the intermediate and deep passing game,” McFadden wrote this week.

“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. Thornton showed he could be ready to answer the call.”

The Raiders knew they were getting a talented wide receiver when they drafted Thornton, but they might have gotten a little more than they were expecting in the Tennessee speedster.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore, Thornton has been more polished in practice than what he showed in college.

“Thornton was still thought to need plenty of polish to become a productive pro receiver. His college offense wasn’t too sophisticated. At OTAs, however, his footwork at the line of scrimmage appeared more advanced than advertised and his route running looked crisp. He could be further along than suspected,” Bonsignore reported last month.

“Thornton is also taking reps as a kick returner for the Raiders. His speed and athletic ability could make him a huge factor on special teams.”

League insider Tony Pauline, who was first to report the latest issue around Christian Wilkins’ foot, has been complimentary of the Vegas draft and was particularly impressed with where they were able to get Thornton in the draft.

Pauline had a third-round grade on Thornton, and he believes the 6’4 speedster is going to make teams regret letting him slip to the fifth round.

“Dont’e Thornton Jr. is a developing wideout who displayed big-play ability last season at Tennessee,” Pauline wrote on Wednesday. “He’s tall, sure-handed and fast, timing 4.30 during combine workouts and playing to that speed on the field. His upside is incredible, and two years from now, people will wonder why he slid into Day 3.”

x: @raidersbeat