Breaking: Chip Kelly Raves About Raiders Rookie WR Dont’e Thornton Jr.: “He’s Got Size, Speed, and Everything You Want” Could This 6’5” Speedster Be the Breakout Star in Las Vegas’ Revamped Offense Under Pete Carroll? With Opportunity Wide Open and Coaches Ready to Develop Him, Thornton Jr. Might Just Be a Secret Weapon for the Raiders This Season!
The Las Vegas Raiders may have uncovered a gem in rookie wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr., and the buzz around him is quickly turning into full-blown hype. After a standout spring showing, Thornton Jr. is making waves in training camp—and none other than offensive guru Chip Kelly is singing his praises.
“He’s got size, he’s got speed, and he’s got everything you want in a wide receiver,” Kelly said. “He’s still learning, but the raw tools are ridiculous. Guys like this don’t come around often.”
Standing at 6-foot-5 and reportedly clocking in a sub-4.4 forty-yard dash, Thornton Jr. checks every box physically. A product of Oregon and Tennessee, he showed flashes of brilliance in college but never quite put it all together in a consistent system. That may change in Las Vegas, where the Raiders are undergoing a major offensive overhaul under new head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
Carroll, known for developing young talent during his time in Seattle, seems eager to bring the same culture of growth to Vegas. With veteran receivers moving on and targets up for grabs, Thornton Jr. is stepping into a golden opportunity. He’s not just fighting for a roster spot—he’s pushing to become a key part of the offensive game plan.
“He’s got that rare combination of being tall but explosive off the line,” said Grubb. “He’s already building chemistry with our quarterbacks, and he’s hungry. You can see it in the way he practices—he wants it.”
That hunger is exactly what the Raiders need. With the offense transitioning to a more up-tempo, vertical attack, Thornton Jr.’s deep-threat ability could stretch defenses and open things up for the rest of the unit. Insiders say he’s been one of the most explosive players in mini-camp, routinely beating defensive backs downfield and making contested catches look routine.
Veterans have taken notice, too. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell recently noted that Thornton Jr.’s catch radius is “unreal” and compared his physical tools to a young Mike Evans. While those are lofty comparisons, the talent is evident—and so is the opportunity.
This isn’t just offseason smoke. If the Raiders are going to surprise anyone this year, they’ll need a breakout playmaker to emerge. Don’t be shocked if that player is Thornton Jr.
Las Vegas may have brought in Carroll to stabilize the franchise, but early signs suggest he may be unlocking a true offensive weapon in the process. Thornton Jr. has the tools, the drive, and now—finally—the opportunity. If everything clicks, we may be looking at one of the league’s most exciting breakout stories.
Keep an eye on Dont’e Thornton Jr.—he’s not just a name to remember; he might be the Raiders’ not-so-secret weapon in 2025.
