Geno Smith Sets Expectations for 3 Raiders Rookies
Geno Smith Sets Expectations for 3 Raiders Rookies originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Las Vegas Raiders made the plunge for quarterback Geno Smith right before the 2025 NFL offseason officially began.
Advertisement
New head coach Pete Carroll, given his extensive relationship with Smith, was able to convince first-time general manager John Spytek to send a third-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for his talents.
Smith already has established offensive pieces in Las Vegas like tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. However, the team will need their young players to step up if this offense wants to get off the ground.
Spytek utilized the team's first pick on a running back and three other selections on wide receivers, so there will be ample opportunity for rookies to carve out a role.
Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty (2).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
On Monday, the Raiders had their media day at the team facility. Smith spoke about three first-year players in particular that he had high expectations for going into the 2025 NFL season.
Advertisement
"I think Dont'e (Thornton Jr.) and Jack (Bech) have done a great job of just stepping right and becoming a part of this team," Smith said. "We got high expectations for those guys. Ashton (Jeanty), we've got high expectations for Ashton."
Jeanty was the team's No. 6 overall pick. He came to the Raiders from Boise State, where a 2,601-yard, 29-touchdown campaign earned him a runner-up finish in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Bech joined the Silver and Black during the second round after a standout season at TCU. As a senior, he caught 62 passes for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns.
Thornton was a fourth-round pick by Las Vegas. He caught just 26 passes for 661 yards last season at Tennessee, but he led the country with 25.4 yards per reception.
Advertisement
Given the Raiders' league-worst 79.8 rushing yards per game last season, Jeanty is expected to be a fixture on Day 1. Las Vegas also needs a receiver to step up alongside Meyers, who recorded a career-best 1,027 receiving yards in 2024.
Smith's high expectations for these three rookies indicates that they are ahead of schedule with the steep learning curve that the NFL provides.
Related: Geno Smith Reveals Real Reason Why He's on the Raiders
Related: Pete Carroll Drops Revealing Commentary About Geno Smith
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Florida Gators Land Blue-Chip WR
Florida Gators Land Blue-Chip WR originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Billy Napier earned the commitment of Buchholz (Fla.)'s Justin Williams on Sunday, bolstering the Florida Gators' future receiving room. Advertisement "BREAKING: Four-Star WR Justin Williams has Committed to Florida, he tells me for @on3recruits," Hayes Fawcett wrote Sunday on X. "The 6'0 190 WR from Gainesville, FL chose the Gators over Florida State, Kentucky, Missouri, & Indiana. 'From the Backyard to The Swamp #GoGators." Williams is listed as the No. 15 overall athlete in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2026 class. "New-age offensive weapon that was a full-time wide receiver, but has since made the transition to running back and will likely get a bulk of his snaps there moving forward as he's a rhythmic mover with excellent contact balance that can string cuts together and extend runs," 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote in a scouting report. Florida Gators coach Billy Napier© Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "Should be viewed as a do-it-all utility man that can make an impact in a variety of different ways at the Power Four level. "Likely to find most success in a single-back spread attack that wants to target him out of the backfield." Advertisement Williams was a finalist for Florida's Class 6A Mr. Football award. He was chosen as The Gainesville Sun's All-Area Big School Offensive Player of the Year after catching 85 passes for 1,473 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 108 more times for 1,023 yards and 16 touchdowns. Williams had also visited the Indiana Hoosiers recently. If he sticks to his pledge, he'll follow a class of wideouts that includes Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson, and Naeshaun Montgomery. Related: New Star Emerges as Weapon for DJ Lagway This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Falcons Linked to Potential Aggressive Move for 2-Time Pro Bowler
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entering the 2025 NFL season, the NFC South division is wide open. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considered by many to be the favorite, the Atlanta Falcons are going to be a team worth watching as well. Last season, the Falcons finished the year with an 8-9 record and narrowly missed the playoffs. They had been in contention all year long, but simply couldn't get into the postseason. A new era of football is set to begin this season in Atlanta. Michael Penix Jr., the team's second-year quarterback, will be the starter and will look to take the Falcons back to contention. Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on from the field after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on from the field after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo byWhile the roster looks solid, some questions need to be answered. One potential need could come at the cornerback position. Read more: Broncos Urged to Pursue Blockbuster Trade To Support Bo Nix With that in mind, Atlanta has been connected as a possible suitor for a two-time Pro Bowl free agent. Arkesh Ray of Atlanta Falcons on SI has suggested that the team could consider signing former Green Bay Packers star cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was recently released by the Packers. "With major injury concerns and an inability to stay on the field as of late, Alexander would not be able to demand a huge contract. If the Falcons are able to bring him on a cheap deal, they should consider it, providing competition and depth at outside corner," Ray wrote. "With Alexander's injury history and matador tackling, Alexander could still fit a coverage role that should be even more valuable with an upgraded pass rush." Adding a piece like Alexander could be the fix that the Falcons' defense needs. If he can return to full health and stay healthy, he's still more than capable of being one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Last season with Green Bay, Alexander showed off what he's capable of in the seven games he did play. He recorded 16 total tackles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and seven defended passes. Read more: Browns Fans in Tears After Nick Chubb's Heartfelt Message He would immediately take over as the No. 1 cornerback in Atlanta. That's where he would stay as long as he's healthy enough to play. While the concerns about his health could scare teams off, the Falcons would be taking on little to no risk. On a one-year contract, Atlanta could simply move on if things didn't work out after the 2025 season. They may not have an interest in Alexander, but the Falcons are a team to keep an eye on. For more Atlanta Falcons and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kirk Herbstreit Teases Major Announcement With Nick Saban
Kirk Herbstreit Teases Major Announcement With Nick Saban originally appeared on Athlon Sports. ESPN sports analyst Kirk Herbstreit, most known for his work on College GameDay and Thursday Night Football, went viral with his former dog Ben, who passed away in November 2024. Advertisement Ben's younger brother, Peter, has filled the void and been a sensational piece of Herbstreit's life, and is fully integrated in the College GameDay crew. Beloved by all members of the team, Herbstreit posted a picture with the young golden retriever with former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, teasing a major announcement upcoming. A new Home Depot commercial featuring both Herbstreits and Saban is set to release soon, and the picture of them more than adds to the hype. Kirk Herbstreit is all smiles in South Bend, Indiana with Nick Saban on Friday.© Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune The College GameDay crew and Home Depot have had a good working relationship, as seen before in multiple commercials, as well as partnerships with the two live on air. Advertisement Herbstreit, Saban, and the rest of the team have all shown a bright light into the college football experience, and continuing to branch out to attract more viewership to one of the best analyst panels in sports. The college football season is still a few months away, but with training camps underway, and now the announcement of a big Home Depot commercial with the ESPN crew certainly builds lots of hype, and something fans are ready to have back. College GameDay brings a lot of the country together every Saturday morning before games kick off around the country, and the growth with recent additions in Saban and Pat McAfee, as well as the retirement announcement of Lee Corso after this season will make this season one to remember. Related: Alabama Dealt Unfortunate News on Younger Brother of Nick Saban Legacy Recruit Related: EA Sports Makes Major Ryan Williams Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
