First-year Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator and former UCLA Bruin head coach Chip Kelly is hoping a wide receiver will excel in August. A second receiver could join starter Jakobi Meyers in the Raiders’ starting lineup. During the Raiders’ preseason opener against Seattle on Thursday, rookie wideout Dont’e Thornton Jr. made his claim for the job.
It wasn’t the perfect game for Thornton Jr., as he hauled in just one pass for 17 yards on three targets but he flashed potential. Raiders’ backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell missed an open Thornton Jr. and the ball ended up intercepted even though Thornton Jr did well to create separation. Thornton Jr again created seperation on his other target but couldn’t haul in a back shoulder pass from Raiders’ starter Geno Smith.
Even with the lone reception, it was enough to catch the eyes of Raiders Wire writer Justin Melo.
There was legitimate excitement to see Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. in Thursday’s 23-23 preseason Week 1 tie with the Seattle Seahawks. Thornton ended up recording one reception for an explosive 17-yard gain. He flashed more ability than the stat line indicates,” Melo wrote. “Thornton’s debut was a little uneven. The fourth-round rookie made one eye-popping catch, and poor quarterback play from O’Connell possibly prevented them from converting an explosive gain. Thornton also had a drop. He’ll continue working hard at training camp to play himself into a role.”
There’s competition for the Raiders WR2 job, with fellow rookie Jack Bech, Tre Tucker and Alex Bachman.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Does Raiders OC Chip Kelly have a new weapon in rookie wideout Dont’e Thornton?
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
