The Las Vegas Raiders wasted no time overhauling their wide receiver corps after last season’s stagnant passing game. Making a bold move, the team acquired Geno Smith, signaling a clear intent to boost the aerial attack. With Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers pegged as the top two pass-catching threats, the Raiders appear to have laid a solid foundation for a more efficient throwing game.
Beyond those two, the roster will rely on Tre Tucker and the skill set of rookie wideouts Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. to provide a spark and push the offense to a higher level. Veteran Alex Bachman has emerged as a pleasant surprise this offseason, translating his strong OTAs and training camp showing into the first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, where he made an impact on both offense and special teams.
Still, one key decision hangs over the Raiders’ plans: who stays and who goes among the wide receivers. A prominent Raiders beat writer recently predicted Bachman would be cut in favor of quarterback-turned-wideout Tommy Mellott. Mellott, a sixth-round rookie, has shown intriguing athletic upside, but he remains a project at the NFL level, requiring time to fully transition from college quarterback to wide receiver.
That debate is at the heart of the current roster calculus. Bachman, at 29, is further along and proven in practice and camp, but Mellott’s upside presents a tempting gamble for a club trying to maximize ceiling without exposing a valuable asset to waivers. Some speculate that Las Vegas could keep six receivers to accommodate both, which would push veterans like Collin Johnson and Phillip Dorsett to the bubble and potentially end up with Shedrick Jackson on the outside looking in. Yet Jackson is a player who could clear waivers and return to the Raiders, a scenario the team might accept to preserve depth and competition.
Losing Mellott would be a blow to the organization if he continues to show promise, but Bachman’s versatility and proven performance across multiple facets of the game give him a strong case to stay. If Bachman were released, another franchise would likely snatch him up quickly, underscoring why the Raiders could instead opt to retain both Bachman and Mellott, keeping them on the active roster as established veteran presence and the promising developmental prospect.
What to watch as the preseason progresses is how Bachman continues to contribute on offense and special teams and whether Mellott can continue to develop into a reliable NFL wide receiver. The Raiders’ wide receiver overhaul signals a commitment to a more dynamic passing attack, and the outcome of these roster decisions will play a critical role in how soon that commitment translates into on-field success.
Additional notes for readers:
– If the Raiders decide to keep both Bachman and Mellott, expect a six-receiver rotation that could limit some veteran incumbents’ playing time but maximize depth and upside.
– Bachman’s all-around contribution could give the coaching staff more flexibility in game-planning, especially on special teams and in sub-packages.
– Mellott’s development will be a key storyline this season; if he can translate his athleticism into consistent route running and hands, the Raiders could benefit from a dynamic, two-way threat at the position.