Ashton Jeanty has mostly dominated headlines around the Raiders in the days since the draft (and understandably so), but since the start of offseason activities there has been an uptick in hype around the rookie wide receivers.
Fromer TCU wide receiver Jack Bech was said to be “consistently open” in his first practices with the team and Tennessee speedster Dont’e Thornton has drawn strong reviews from everyone at OTAs, including All Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby.
“Everyone always talks about Ashton [Jeanty], you talk about Jack [Bech], both of them look like ballers [and] have been awesome so far,” Crosby said on The Rush last month.
“But Dont’e Thornton, the dude we drafted from Tennessee, the big receiver, 6’4, another freak. I think he might be 6’5,” Crosby continued. “He reminds me of Martavius Bryant. He even looks like him. He’s tall, skinny, wears no. 10, he’s got the grilles in, he’s got the dreads. The way he runs, the way he catches the ball. He reminds me of Martavius and it’s crazy because a kid like that… hasn’t hit his full potential yet. Seeing him on the field and realizing what he can be is from a player perspective is like ‘Holy sh–, this guy could be something serious.”
Thornton possesses a skillset that few can match, even at the NFL level, and that seems to have been evident to everyone following the Raiders in the first month of organized team activities.
From the outside, Thornton has probably been getting a little more attention than Bech, but Thornton says Bech has been “locked in” since his first day with the team.
Additionally, Thornton dropped a little nugget on how the Raiders may deploy Bech in Chip Kelly’s offense.
Thornton did a segment with podcast host Graphk Raider on Saturday night, and he shared an interesting detail on his rookie running mate.
“Since we got here, me and [Bech] have been locked in from the moment we got in to Vegas. We always go out there and try to encourage each other to keep going and have a good day, constantly on top of each other to be productive,” Thornton said on the OLV Raiders Network. “I feel like he’s definitely doing a great job of that with him being moved around a lot, he’s taken it on and not really having too much problems with it.”
Thornton didn’t clarify what he meant by Bech being “moved around a lot” but it sounds like the former TCU star is going to be all over the formation in Chip Kelly’s offense.
Bech has been called a slot receiver and Steve Smith Sr. said he views Bech as more of a tight end.
Reading into Thornton’s comments a little, it sounds like the Raiders are in agreement with Smith and everyone else…
Their second-round wideout can play about anywhere on the field they want.
x: @raidersbeat
photo credit: Raiders.com
One thing, Bech needs to get signed. Stop the holding out and let’s go! You’ll get your guaranteed money when you perform in the NFL!!! Not because you think you deserve it as a rookie with zero experience!!
Only 2 2nd round player’s have signed. Thus is due to the Texans GM giving there second rounder guaranteed money. This a copy cat league. Now all platers want it. First Texans then the Browns.
The Texans drafted WR Jaylin Noel from Iowa State in the 2nd round. A guy the Raiders should’ve drafted instead of mini Bowers, Jack Bech. Noel is a speedy explosive slot with 4.29 speed. He blew up the Texans rookie mini camp and they rewarded him with guaranteed money. Chip Kelly should’ve been banging the table for him. Him and Thornton on the field together would keep DC’s up all night. Bech is good though. But now I feel like the Raiders have 3-4 TE’s when they only need a couple.
The draft is a conspiracy by the league owners to deprive players of their fair market value (seriously, what would Travis Hunter get if there was no rookie scale and he could negotiate with all 32 teams?). Instead of Bech being able to sign with any team for any amount, the draft restricts him to negotiating with only the Raiders and for a limited amount of money. I don’t blame him a bit for using what little leverage he has to get the best deal possible for himself. Remember: Without guaranteed money or provisions in a contract, the CBA allows the Raiders to cut ties to Bech without paying him a cent, even if he injures himself practicing for the team.
He’ll sign. He’ll play. Hopefully he’s good. In the meantime, he’s trusting his agent to do his job, which is exactly what he should do.
Beach and Thornton appear to be future stars for the raiders for years to come… hopefully the cap pinches don’t get in the way !!!