Depending on who you ask the Las Vegas Raiders walked into the 2025 NFL draft needing help at the quarterback position. They came out of the draft having selected two players at the position but not until day three.
However, they did not stop there, adding another dual-threat quarterback after the draft. Two of these players could see a position change at the NFL level.
Currently, a projected depth chart at quarterback for the Raiders would look something like this: Geno Smith, Aidan O’Connell, Cam Miller, Carter Bradley, Tommy Mellott, and Tajj-Malik Williams.
Table of Contents
First Let’s Take a Look at the Raiders’ Needs
Before the draft took place, the Raiders were perceived as needing a running back, wide receiver, defensive back, and offensive line.
During the draft they filled needs at all of all of these positions by selecting Ashton Jeanty at running back, Jack Bech, Dont’e Thronton Jr., at wide receiver, Caleb Rogers, and Charles Grant at offensive line. They also selected quarterback Cam Miller.
They also brought in two rookies who could potentially be competing at more than one position in camp; Tommy Mellott, already listed as a wide receiver, and Hajj-Malik Williams.
Tommy Mellott
Tommy Mellott originally saw playing time in college at wide receiver and on special teams. It wasn’t long before the team was using him as a run threat. In 2021 he had nearly twice as many carries (113) as he had passing attempts (58) while also adding 3”2 receptions and 1 touchdown as a receiver. Despite not starting at any position he finished the season with 15 touchdowns.
Over the next three seasons he went on to produce 306 carries for 2,131 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns, as well as 4,261 passing yards, 35 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. Ultimately graduating with 39 passing touchdowns, 38 rushing touchdowns, and 1 receiving touchdown to go with 7,612 all-purpose yards.
Mellott could probably spend the next three to five years trying to battle it out at quarterback trying to prove himself. Or, he could move to wideout and potentially earn an opportunity to become more valuable as an offensive weapon. He is projected as a wide receiver in the NFL and chose to perform wide receiver drills for NFL teams which has obviously helped his chances of being selected in the draft.
Mellott displays potentially elite-level athleticism as a wideout. The question is how will he translate to the position at the next level?
Mellott athletically is like a Madden Create-A-Player where you just get crazy and give your rookie wide receiver 96 speed, 94 agility, 99 jump, and 80 strength. If he can make sure his hands back up his athleticism he will be a dangerous piece to this Raiders offense.
Impressive Pro Day
6’0 200 lbs
4.39 40-yard dash
41 inch vertical
19 reps on bench press
10-foot 4-inch broad jump
6.93 L-Drill
4.20 short shuttle
Hajj-Malik Williams
Shortly after the draft ended, Former Campbell and UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams signed as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams is yet another dual-threat signal caller added to the Raiders roster, he is also the type of athlete that could see a change of position in the NFL.
Playing in 53 games for the two schools, Williams accounted for 578 carries for 2,441 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground. He also threw 1,324 passes for 10,141 yards, 77 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. Potentially the most intriguing statistic for this article is his 3 receptions for 73 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Now he did not technically play wide receiver with these receptions coming on truck plays, but they certainly don’t hurt when projecting a player at a new position. Williams also once played some wide receiver in high school for a game.
Although the majority of Williams’ career has been as a quarterback dating back to high school, and could also still be given a chance to compete at his main position. Although it would be a shame to leave a playmaker like this on the bench:
Pro Day Numbers
Hajj-Malik Williams was able to benefit from where he chose to finish out his collegiate career. He was one of several players to attend the Raiders local pro-day, and now he finds himself getting an opportunity to make their roster.
The 5’11 205 pound quarterback ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at his pro day. Other numbers were not announced.
Versatility and Creativity, A Chip Kelly Offense
The Raiders hired Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator for the 2025 season. Kelly has toyed with players moving positions in the past. As the Head Coach at UCLA, Kelly had moved Colson Yankoff around the offense trying to find a way to utilize his athletic ability.
Kelly is also an avid user of trick plays and oftentimes times gadget players as well. He is also notorious for throwing passes to quarterbacks with players like Marcus Mariota, Blaine Gabbert, Ethan Garbers, and Will Howard.
Could we see a player similar to Taysom Hill emerge for the Raiders? Or are they simply looking for the next Julian Edelman?
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