Latest news with #JackBech
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders Insider Provides Update On Second-Round Pick's Contract Situation
Raiders Insider Provides Update On Second-Round Pick's Contract Situation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders have completely retooled their wide receiver room ahead of the 2025 NFL season. After trading Davante Adams to the New York Jets last year, the team has needed another wideout to step up alongside Jakobi Meyers. Advertisement 2023 third-rounder Tre Tucker is the obvious candidate, but the team still utilized three picks on wide receivers in this year's draft. They took TCU's Jack Bech in the second round, Tennessee's Dont'e Thornton in the fourth round, and Montana State's Tommy Mellott in the sixth round. While both Thornton and Mellott have signed, however, Bech is yet to put pen to paper for the Silver and Black. Las Vegas Raiders WR Jack Bech (18).Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images With mandatory minicamp approaching on June 10, Bech will not be allowed to participate if he is not under contract. The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore recently provided an update about his contract situation and if there is any reason to be concerned. Advertisement "No (there is no concern about Bech's contract)," Bonsignore wrote. "Bech has been a full participant during OTAs. His contract will get sorted out." This is music to the ears of Raider Nation, who know all-too-well what can happen when a rookie sits out too long. It seems like the finer details are being resolved, and the team can expect him to be at mandatory minicamp. Bech is in a difficult spot, as no second-rounders from this year's draft have signed their contract yet outside of picks No. 33 and No. 34. The Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns set a precedent by signing these players -- Jayden Higgins and Carson Schwesinger -- to fully-guaranteed deals. Now, every agent of a second-round pick is attempting to get their player a fully-guaranteed contract, which typically only happens for first-rounders. Bech was the No. 58 pick, which is in the latter half of the second round, so it may be a reach to get that level of guarantees. Advertisement However, Bech will sign eventually and join the team, it will simply be a matter of how lucrative his contract is before ever playing an NFL snap. Related: Raiders Reporter Hints at Physical Transformation for Former First-Round Pick Related: Raiders Insider Leaves Door Open for Veteran CB Addition This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders Called Out for 'Head-Scratching' Draft Pick
The Las Vegas Raiders have been praised at length for their performance in the 2025 NFL Draft. Many felt that new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll landed the perfect blend of Week 1 starters, solid depth pieces and players with elite traits who have plenty of upside to tap into. While the roster still needs tons of work, it is massively improved from last year's four-win team. The Raiders may not be a serious contender this season, but the new regime in Las Vegas is building the franchise the right way and positioning itself for a run in the coming years. Las Vegas Raiders WR Jack Bech (18).Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images Not every pick in the draft was considered a homerun, however. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler asserted that the Raiders' selection of TCU wideout Jack Bech in the second round was the most head-scratching move of the draft. Advertisement "Bech has the ball skills and competitiveness to make a quick impact on the Las Vegas offense, and the Raiders had a solid draft in Spytek's first year at the helm," Fowler wrote. "But several scouts from around the league -- even ones that really like Bech -- felt the second round was a bit high and the third round might have been a more sensible range." At the end of the day, it only really matters what the Las Vegas brass thought about Bech if they are the team that is selecting him. Besides the point is the fact that Bech was taken with the No. 58 pick, which is the end of the second round and just a few spots from the third round anyway. Based on his track record and toughness, everything that Las Vegas wants out of Bech should come to fruition. Bech has a great chance to be a Week 1 starter for the Raiders, and if he can produce as a rookie, all doubters of this pick will be silenced. Related: Maxx Crosby Makes Personal Announcement on Monday Related: Raiders Hire Two-Time Super Bowl-Winning Exec to Key Front Office Role
New York Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Raiders rookie camp: Jack Bech, Darien Porter show flashes as newbies get their ears wet
HENDERSON, Nev. — As temperatures pushed 90 degrees, Pete Carroll strapped on his gloves and backpedaled on the field as the Las Vegas Raiders' defensive backs looked on. With the 73-year-old coach showing that type of energy during the stretching period, there was little room for anyone else to slack off. Advertisement 'He was out there working on his press,' cornerback Darien Porter said Friday. 'It's funny, but I really appreciate it. To see that kind of energy in rookie minicamp this early in the process is awesome.' Throughout the first practice of the Raiders' three-day camp on Friday, the energy level was high. The team headquarters has an indoor facility, but the coaching staff kept the session outdoors. The result was that the players' fitness was pushed to the brink. 'You've got to be conditioned,' receiver Jack Bech said. 'You have to be able to run all day. And I think, obviously, conditioning on your own and football conditioning, it's a little different. … I'm excited to keep coming out here and keep learning under one of the greatest coaches ever and keep sharpening not only my physical skill set but my mental skill set, too.' The practice was without pads, which makes it harder to evaluate linemen, linebackers and running backs, but Bech and Porter still managed to stand out. Bech said he has aimed to model his game after Los Angeles Rams receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, former Raiders receiver Amari Cooper and Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. With Nacua, it's his ability to use his body, leverage and physicality to get open. With Kupp, it's how he understands the nuances of the game. With Cooper and Jefferson, it's their precise route running. Although Bech has a long way to go to reach the level of those players, he was consistently open on Friday. His best plays came toward the end of practice when he hauled in several deep balls during 11-on-11 drills that would've been touchdowns. We don't know whether he'll spend most of his time outside or in the slot, but he'll be a day-one starter if he keeps up this pace. Bech isn't the fastest or the biggest receiver — he's 6-foot-1, 215 pounds — but he uses his mind as much as his body to create advantages. Advertisement 'It's more about understanding the different leverages and just understanding what the defense is doing and then taking it a step further,' Bech said. 'You have to understand the nuance of the game and know where to attack. A big thing is knowing how to get open and when to do it. A double move, a stutter-and-go or a slant-and-go might work great against a Cover 3 where you can get them to bite, but that might not work well against Cover 4 or Cover 2. It's different things like that. … That's how you last, and that's how you become a great player: It's what is between the ears.' Porter is more of a ball of intriguing traits at this point, but they're pretty darned impressive. He's thin, but he's a legit 6-foot-2, and his 4.3-second 40-yard dash time from the combine shows up on the field. He transitioned from receiver to cornerback in college and was still only a rotational player in 2024, so he has plenty to learn. His fundamentals and technique are still a work in progress. Porter has the physical skills to make up for his mistakes, but they'll still have to happen less frequently for him to get into the mix with Jakorian Bennett, Eric Stokes and Decamerion Richardson for a starting role as an outside corner. Carroll has had a history of developing raw cornerbacks — a la Richard Sherman and Tariq Woolen — and Porter hopes he's next on the list. 'They're both tall, long guys,' Porter said. 'I think athletically I fit a little bit more with Tariq than Richard. I'm just looking to take all the coaching I can to get to the level of those guys.' Here are some additional notes from practice. • The Raiders had more than 70 participants at practice, which is much more than in years past. It's been a habit of Carroll's, however, going back to his time as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. The group was composed of the 11 drafted rookies, 15 undrafted free agents, International Pathway Program defensive tackle Laki Tasi and numerous other players who were trying out for spots on the team. The idea of bringing in so many is to give the coaching staff enough players to utilize a two-deep depth chart and run full team drills on both sides of the ball. #RAIDERS ROSTER NEWS: – Signed the following 15 undrafted free agents:@Raiders | #RaiderNation — Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) May 9, 2025 • It was a quiet first day on the job for running back Ashton Jeanty, but that's to be expected given that there was no contact allowed. His time to shine will come. • Tommy Mellott, who played quarterback in college but is transitioning to receiver, spent most of his time lined up in the slot. He didn't do much in practice, but his speed jumps out. Advertisement The same goes for Dont'e Thornton, who's just as fast despite being much bigger at 6-4, 205 pounds. Between those two and veteran receiver Tre Tucker, the Raiders have more deep-threat options than they did at this point last year. • Charles Grant lined up exclusively at left tackle during the media viewing portion of practice. He was locked into that position throughout his college career, too, but Carroll has said he'd also like to see him get some work at right tackle. Unlike Grant, fellow third-round pick Caleb Rogers moved around during practice. He lined up at both right guard and right tackle. While the Raiders drafted him as a guard, they aren't going to limit him. Rogers started games at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle in college. His best path to playing time is at guard, but it makes sense for the Raiders to continue to cross-train him given the unpredictable nature of injuries. 'I told them when they drafted me that I want to be a guy that can play all five (positions),' Rogers said Friday. 'Wherever they're going to need me to fit in, that's where I want to be. … I don't call myself a tackle (or a guard), I call myself an O-lineman.' (Photo of Jack Bech: Candice Ward / Getty Images)
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jack Bech is studying two RoY, an OPoY, and a Raiders legend to implement into his game
Jack Bech is studying two RoY, an OPoY, and a Raiders legend to implement into his game Everyone loves player comps. Being able to compare a player to a known NFL player helps fans make sense of they type of player a prospect is or could become. Raiders second round rookie receiver Jack Bech drew comparisons to Rams standout Puka Nacua because of his play style. Bech himself agrees and has embraced that comparison. Even if it's a lofty one considering Nacua came on strong right away in the pros, going on to set rookie receiving records. But it isn't just Nacua. Bech is taking the aspects of the former Rookie of the Year's game and studying them and doing the same with a few other receivers including another rookie of the year and offensive player of the year. 'There's definitely a few," Bech said of receivers he emulates. "I definitely like breaking down the guys like Puka [Nacua], how he uses his body to get open. He doesn't dance around a whole lot. He attacks the leverage of the body. He uses his big, physical presence, his physical ability to get open. And the different guys like [Cooper] Kupp, just the way he understands the game, the nuances of the game. It's something that I'm always going to strive to get better at each and every day for my whole career. Just different guys who run routes. Some of the best route-runners in the league. People like Amari Cooper and Justin Jefferson. Coach Chris Beatty does a great job of that. Showing you a bunch of people's games, so you can kind of just pick from people and take what you like. Kind of just mimic their game a little bit.' Kupp was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 with 1947 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns. Jefferson was the Rookie of the Year in 2020 and has never let up as one of the best receivers in the NFL over the past five seasons including 1809 yards in 2022. While Amari Cooper has never played at the level of the other three receivers mentioned, he has long been considering one of the most sound route runners in the game. it's studying and taking what he wants from these guys that Bech sees as the key to being a star in the NFL. 'It's easy to come out here and understand if you've got a stutter and go or if you have a curl or if you're blocking backside. But it's more about understanding the different leverages, understanding what the defense is doing and then taking it a step further," Bech added. "Understanding the nuances of the game, knowing where to attack. My big thing is knowing how to get open and when to do it. A double move might work great, a stutter-and-go or a slant-and-go might work great against a cover-3, but that might not work well if it's cover-4 or cover-2. Different things like that as I go, the great coaches we have in this building, just learning more and more from them and really sharpening my mental around the game. Because that's how you latch and that's how to become a great player. It's what is between the ears.' This mental approach, along with what he says is his passion for the game are what attracted the Raiders to him. It's everything they said they held in the highest regard when it came to evaluating potential draft talent.
Fox News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Raiders' Jack Bech says team is getting a '2-for-1 special' in him as he honors late brother
The Las Vegas Raiders selected wide receiver Jack Bech in the second round of the NFL Draft last month, but according to the former TCU star, the team got a "two-for-one special." Bech's brother, Tiger, was one of 14 victims killed in the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year's Day. Jack Bech said his dream of making it to the NFL was not just his own, but his brother's dream as well. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON "I feel like, or I don't feel like, I know I'm a two-for-one special now. Not only are the Raiders getting Jack Bech, they are getting Tiger Bech too. This wasn't just my dream, it was our dream, it was something that we talked about from a very young age. My brother always saw it in me way before I even saw it in myself. So yeah, it was definitely our dream," he said during a recent appearance on "Fox & Friends." "My brother is the one, he pushed me each and every day to be the best. He showed me how to live, he showed me how to play the game, but most importantly, showed me how to be a good human being, how to put others first and how to truly love. So, yeah, it wasn't just me, it was my brother's dream, my family's dream, so that's why I said we." Bech said finding out his brother was dead was a "weird" and "crazy" feeling, but he has faith in God and trusts Him. "Oh yeah, it was definitely a weird crazy feeling. You know you never think those things will happen to you until they actually do. It was definitely a hard pill to swallow, but at the end of the day, knowing that God makes no mistakes, and He does everything for a specific reason and purpose and plan, and really just go to your knees and fully embrace that," Bech said. TOM BRADY ADMITS HE 'F---ED UP' BY DOING NETFLIX ROAST: 'TOUGH ON MY KIDS' "God does everything for a reason and that He will take care of you and my family and that's what me and family did and without our faith and belief and trust in God we definitely would not be where we are today. Just like in the way we handled everything and continue to handle everything." Bech said his faith originated from his parents taking him to church as a kid, and that his faith in God has been strengthened over time. "I think obviously my parents from a young age just always bringing me to church, you know just putting the church on me from a young age and just getting older, going through high school and college just (having) different mentors," Bech said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "So many different people along the way helping me stay on the right path and not only helping me stay on the right path but truly strengthening my faith along each step of the way. It's been so huge to me, and like I said without all those people in my life helping build up my faith I definitely don't think I would have been able to handle, my family wouldn't have been able to handle the situation the way we have." Bech spent the first two seasons of his college career with LSU, before he transferred to TCU. The 22-year-old broke out in his senior year, as he had 62 catches for 1,034 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Bech will join Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker as weapons for new Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
