The Las Vegas Raiders got their first real look at sixth-round pick Tommy Mellott as a slot receiver during OTAs—and the early returns were eye-catching.
Tashan Reed of The Athletic reported that Mellott, a former Montana State quarterback, “got significant action at slot receiver” and made a strong impression by “making cornerback Darnay Holmes fall on an in-and-out route before hauling in a pass from [quarterback Geno] Smith and turning upfield.”
Las Vegas Raiders Test “Touchdown Tommy” Mellott at Slot Receiver in Bold Edelman-Inspired Experiment
Mellott, the 213th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is making a high-profile transition from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver—a path famously blazed by Patriots legend Julian Edelman. At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Mellott brings elite athleticism to the position: he clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, leapt 41 inches vertically, and posted a 10-foot-4 broad jump in pre-draft workouts.
Nicknamed “Touchdown Tommy,” Mellott left Montana State with 33 career wins and school ranks of second in rushing touchdowns (43), second in rushing yards (3,523), and fifth in both passing touchdowns (53) and passing yards (5,810). He also led the Bobcats to four FCS playoff appearances and won the 2024 Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in FCS football.
While the Raiders drafted Mellott as a quarterback on paper, the team made its plans clear by selecting another FCS signal-caller—North Dakota State’s Cam Miller—just two picks later.
“I wouldn’t pigeonhole him right now,” said Raiders scouting director Brandon Yeargan. “We view him as a receiver with a lot of value on special teams… maybe play some quarterback, too.”
Mellott is embracing the challenge: “I’ve always been a do-it-all kind of guy,” he said. “Whatever they ask, I’m going to perfect it—and then do even more.”