The Las Vegas Raiders hope they've drafted their version of Julian Edelman in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
During the draft process, Tommy Mellott was repeatedly compared to Edelman, the recently named New England Patriots club Hall of Famer, as a player who can convert from quarterback to wideout at the pro level.
An FCS wonder, Mellott spent four years at Montana State, leading the Bobcats to two Big Sky titles and four FCS playoff berths. Mellott won the 2024 Walter Payton Award for most outstanding FCS offensive player.
While he was called a quarterback when drafted, the expectation is that Mellott will play a "slash" type role. He's expected to learn receiver and also contribute on special teams. If he earns a spot on the gameday active roster, his throwing ability could be a trick-play threat.
"I wouldn't pigeonhole him right now," Raiders college scouting director Brandon Yeargan said, via the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "I would say we view him as a receiver that's going to have a lot of value in the kicking game, potentially as a returner, as a cover player, maybe play some quarterback, too. We're looking (at him) really as an athlete/receiver, but he's a unique guy."
The man affectionately known as "Touchdown Tommy" to locals ranks second in rushing touchdowns (43), third in rushing yards (3,517), fifth in passing touchdowns (53), and fifth in passing yards (5,810) in Montana State history.
Mellott's pre-draft workouts garnered attention, including from the Raiders, as clubs gushed over his athletic profile. At 5-foot-11, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, posted a 41-inch vertical jump and recorded a broad jump of 10 feet, 4 inches. A playmaker with the ball in his hands, the rookie could carve out a role in special teams off the bat.
The Butte, Montana, native spent the months leading up to the draft developing his receiver skills, anticipating NFL teams would view him more as a playmaker, less as a QB.
"My entire career in college, to be honest with you, has kind of been a do-it-all individual as well," Mellott said. "And so that's what I'm going to be about when I get down to Las Vegas, is just a do-it-all kind of guy who's going to obviously perfect his craft, whatever is expected of me, and do that and more."
The Raiders drafted Cam Miller, out of FCS North Dakota State, two picks after taking Mellott. The move underscored the plan to move Mellott to wideout.
Vegas minority owner Tom Brady knows first-hand what it took for Edelman to make the transition from QB to WR and produce at a high level. The Raiders are hoping they can replicate that feat with Mellott.
